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Use of skin biopsy is proposed as a sensitive non-lethal technique for the hazard assessment of Mediterranean cetaceans exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are a structurally diverse group of compounds that may adversely affect the health of humans and wildlife or their progeny, by interaction with the endocrine system. In the Mediterranean environment top predators accumulate high concentrations of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) and toxic metals, incurring high toxicological hazard. In this paper, the hypothesis that Mediterranean cetaceans are potentially at risk due to PHAH-EDCs is investigated using skin biopsy samples. Benzo-a-pyrene monoxigenase (BPMO) activity in skin biopsies was used as a potential indicator of exposure to different organochlorines (OCs) known to have endocrine disrupting properties. The main objective of this paper was to use this non-destructive ecotoxicological tool to define the potential hazard to Mediterranean odontocete and mysicete species, comparing the present data with values detected in other cetaceans from heavily polluted areas, affected by pseudohermaphroditism and other reproductive dysfunction. Subcutaneous tissue consisting of skin and blubber was obtained from striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean basin. Sampling was performed in the western Ligurian Sea, between Corsica and the French-Italian coast, and in the Ionian Sea. High concentrations of DDT metabolites and PCB congeners (known as Endocrine Disruptors) were detected in the different species. Significant differences in BPMO induction and OC levels were found between odontocetes and mysticetes. Differences in organochlorine bioaccumulation and consequently potential risk due to endocrine disruptors were primarily related to different positions in the marine food web. A statistical correlation was found between BPMO activity and organochlorine (op’DDT, a potent estrogen and antiandrogen and pp’DDE, a potent antiandrogen) levels in skin biopsy specimens of the endangered Mediterranean population of common dolphin. Several conclusions on the potential risk to Mediterranean cetaceans can be drawn from comparison of the levels of OC-EDs detected in Mediterranean odontocetes with those in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) of the St Lawrence estuary and bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) affected by pseudohermaphroditism and other reproductive dysfunction. Finally, these results suggest that BPMO induction may be an early sign of exposure to EDCs such as OCs and a warning of the possibility of transgenerational effects through exposure of future generations via the placenta and milk.

The Mediterranean Sea is home to a exceptional diversity of habitats and species. The IUCN has designated the region as a biodiversity hotspot, because of its rich biodiversity and its threatened status, including multiple anthropogenic stressors such as marine litter (ML) and microplastics (MPs). Due to the multiple sources of pollution and different environmental compartments to be monitored, it is essential to develop a harmonized methodology approach to detect the impact of ML and MPs at basin scale to preserve Mediterranean biodiversity. The Plastic Busters Initiative, kick-started in 2013 in Siena, was born to address scientific gaps and to bind together the monitoring efforts on many habitats and species, including marine protected areas (MPAs) and endangered species. Here we presented the main outcome obtained under the umbrella of the Plastic Busters initiative through the implementation of three European projects: a) Plastic Busters MPAs Med-Interreg, b) COMMON ENI CBC, c) Plastic Busters CAP ENI CCBC. Four main results from the deployed harmonized monitoring approach in biota, will be described: The comprehensive assessment of the impact of ML, including MPs in a wide range of bioindicator species (46) in the several pilot areas (10 MPAs), with the selection of several candidate bioindicators (ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals); The validation of the threefold monitoring approach (ML and MPs detection, plastic tracers analysis and biological endpoints) in several bioindicators; The validation of new methods to detect the impact of ML in endangered species (e.g. omics techniques in cetaceans); The development of risk map showing the impact of ML on MS biodiversity with the case study of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The proposed harmonized methodology could be adapted in multiple Mediterranean MPAs based on their extension and characteristics – including SPAMIs and EBSAs supporting the development of MSFD TGML and the Barcelona Convention IMAP protocols. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/426661/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

The presence of plastic on marine coasts has been widely reported throughout the world. However, these materials have received little attention in coastal wetlands, particularly salt marshes. The abundance, size, type, color, and polymer distribution of large micro- (1-5mm), meso- (5-25mm), and macro-plastics (25-100mm) in eight salt marshes of the Bahia Blanca Estuary were analyzed in this study. Plastics from mudflat, low-salt marsh, and high-salt marsh sediments, and plant-litter from the storm line were isolated by wet sieving and flotation with NaCl saturated solution. The shape, size and color were determined visually under a stereomicroscope and the polymeric composition was determined by FTIR-ATR. The concentrations always followed the same pattern: storm-line plant litter¿high-salt marsh sediments¿low-salt marsh sediments¿mudflat sediments. The most contaminated salt marshes were those near the mouth of the Maldonado stream and an illegal landfill. The relative abundance of each type of plastic varied within the salt marsh, fragments and pellets followed the same pattern as concentrations. Furthermore, this percentage varied between salt marshes, owing primarily to the source to which they were exposed. Thus, those near dumps and sewage discharges had more films and fibers, respectively, while those near the main channel had more pellets. In terms of polymer distribution, 40.5% of the 1600 items analyzed were PELD, followed by 29% PEHD, 20.4% PP, and 4.1% EPS. The films were mostly PELD¿PP¿PEHD, the fragments were PEHD¿PP¿PELD and pellets were PEHD¿PELD. At the spatial level, the relative abundance of each polymer depended on the relative abundance of each plastic shape/type. Finally, we highlight that this study is the first in salt marshes around the world and is focusing on management strategies to improve the coastal wetland quality. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427357/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano