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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.

We analyzed the concentrations of 20 trace elements in Eurydice spinigera (Isopoda) and Flaccisagitta enflata (Chaetognatha), which represent a hyperbenthic and a zooplanktonic marine species respectively, sharing the same predaceous feeding strategy, from a highly productive coastal region (Ligurian Sea, Northwestern Mediterranean). The same elements were also quantified in marine sediments, where geological anomalies were found for arsenic, chromium and nickel. Metal transfer seems to be deeply influenced by different habitats. The carnivorous isopod E. spinigera, which spends most of its lifetime on the seabed, was found to have the highest concentrations of most trace elements, such as Al, As, Cd, Ce, Cr, Fe, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn, and consequently have the highest bioaccumulation factors (BAFs). Moreover, the estimation of biota sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) revealed that cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations were higher in the isopod than in the sediment. Conversely, in the carnivorous chaetognath F. enflata, which is not a benthonic species, the highest levels of copper and tin were found. Moreover, arsenic speciation analysis confirmed the presence of inorganic As (III + V) in E. spinigera. In the context of utilizing a marine organism as a bio-indicator of metal transfer, it is crucial to consider both feeding behavior and feeding habitat.

Copepods are the most numerous taxonomic group in marine mesozooplankton communities. These planktonic organisms have an essential role in the function of marine trophic webs, as they are the link between phytoplankton and secondary consumers. The concentrations of 20 essential and non-essential trace elements were investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in calanoid copepods with different feeding behaviors. The sampling was performed in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, at the border between the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ligurian Sea (Italy). Aluminum, iron, zinc and copper were present in the highest concentrations in herbivorous calanoids ( Temora stylifera, Nannocalanus minor, Neocalanus gracilis) . Conversely, the nonessential element – arsenic – and the essential elements selenium and molybdenum – were present in the highest levels in carnivores ( Pontella mediterranea, Candacia ethiopica). In the omnivorous copepod Centropages typicus, metal concentrations were found at an intermediate level between herbivores and carnivores, reflecting the importance of dietary pathways in metal intake and bioaccumulation. Finally, the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), expressed as a ratio of the total metal levels in copepods compared to the seawater metal levels, were as follows: herbivores (83699) > omnivores (47855) > carnivores (41648).

The zoeal development of the brachyuran crab, Palicus caronii, comprises two zoeal stages and the morphology is described and illustrated in detail. The zoeae were collected in plankton samples from the Southern Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Although the morphology of the larval stages of this species was unknown, a combination of characters allowed the zoeae to initially be assigned to the Palicidae, based on the previous unique known first zoeal description of one species of this family. Later, the identification of the larvae as Palicus caronii was confirmed through molecular analysis. The morphological features of the zoeae that characterize the Palicidae and separate them from the Crossotonotidae are confirmed. Also, the larval development comprising only two zoeal stages observed in Palicus caronii, the peculiar and uncommon carapace surface setation, and the presence of anterodorsal and posterodorsal sensory dorsal organs suggest that these characters could be common to the Palicoidea., The collection of the larval stages used in the present work was performed in the context of a project carried out with the financial support of the Italian Ministero della Salute (Research Project IZSPLV 14/14 RC). COI sequence of adult crab of Palicus caronii was obtained within the framework of the MEGALOPADN project (CGL2009-11225) funded by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competividad (MINECO)” Spanish Plan R + D + I and FEDER. Authors would like to thank Prof. Simona Bonelli, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (UNITO), for her support, and the entomology laboratory of Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (UNITO) for loaning the camera lucida, with a special thanks to Enrico Busato for his availability. The study was funded by the Italian Ministero della Salute (Research Project IZSPLV 14/14 RC).

A diffusion model for the competition of three zooplankton populations is developed, that is based on earlier ideas on reduced phytoplankton abundance at large depths in the ocean, due to light absorption in the higher water layers and shading by other upper residing microorganisms. Equilibria of the diffusion-free system are analysed. A sensitivity analysis in terms of some population interaction parameters that are difficult to assess is performed. Simulations of the space-dependent system reveal the

Rare earth elements (REEs) are central in several critical technologies; their use is constantly increasing as is their release into the environment. For this reason, it is important to investigate REE concentrations in different matrices to evaluate human exposure and environmental risk of these emerging contaminants. REEs were measured by ICP-MS in matrices of terrestrial (plant feed, fruit, honey, wildlife livers) and marine origin (seaweeds, zooplankton, bivalves, fish) collected from Northwestern Italy. Highest REE concentrations were measured at low trophic levels, both in terrestrial and marine environments, such as plants (ΣREE 1.8 mg kg−1) and seaweed (ΣREE 12 mg kg−1), the major source of exposure and transfer of REEs to food webs. REE concentrations were several orders of magnitude lower in fruit, honey, and livers from terrestrial wildlife, suggesting a negligible risk of exposure by these matrices. Marine biota, such as bivalves (ΣREE 0.16 mg kg−1) and fish (ΣREE 0.21 mg kg−1) may constitute a pathway for human or animal dietary exposure. The study confirmed that REEs have low potential for biomagnification, but instead are subject to trophic dilution. However, given the numerous sources of dietary introduction of REEs, they should be monitored for a possible harmful cumulative effect. Owing to the scarcity of data regarding REEs worldwide, our results contribute to assessment of the occurrence of these emerging contaminants.

The occurrence of trace elements, REE and iAs was investigated in macroalgae collected from Giglio Island (Grosseto, Italy), 3 years after the Costa Concordia shipwreck recovery operations. There was a high variability of metals and REE between species, even those belonging to the same phylum. Arsenic level was found within the range of the Tuscany marine environment; the inorganic fraction was from 9% to 31%. Al, Be, Pb and Zn levels in seaweeds from Giglio Island were found to be significantly higher than in macroalgae from other islands of the Tuscany archipelago. REE were double the values found in the Tuscan islands of Elba and Capraia. We suggest that concentrations of metals and REE were influenced by the 3-year-long naval operations carried out for the Costa Concordia shipwreck rescue, and that macroalgae could be suitable bioindicators of perturbations in metal concentrations in the marine environment. Capsule Inorganic contaminants in seaweeds for Giglio Island.

Seaweeds have been used as animal feed since a long time and are consumed as food in several cultures. In fact, macroalgae are a source of protein, fiber, polyunsaturated fat, and minerals. The concentration of trace elements was determined in dominant macroalga species from three sites of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. A high interspecies variability was observed, with higher metal levels in brown and green than those in red seaweeds. The maximum values set by European regulations for arsenic, mercury, and cadmium in food and feed were never exceeded, but a few samples were very close to limits set for mercury. Conversely, the maximum limit for lead in feed was exceeded in all species from one of the considered sites. Analogously, lead in seaweeds could constitute a potential risk for human health, due to the exceeding of the maximum value set for food supplements.

The concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) were determined by ICP-MS in dominant seaweed species, collected from three locations of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. This is the first study to define levels and patterns of REE in macro algae from these coastal areas. Rare elements are becoming emerging inorganic contaminants in marine ecosystems, due to their worldwide increasing applications in industry, technology, medicine and agriculture. Significant inter-site and interspecies differences were registered, with higher levels of REE in brown and green macro algae than in red seaweeds. Levels of light REE were also observed to be greater compared to heavy REE in all samples. One of the investigated locations (Bergeggi, SV) had higher REE and ΣREE concentrations, probably due to its proximity to an important commercial and touristic harbor, while the other two sites were less affected by anthropogenic contaminations, and showed comparable REE patterns and lower concentrations. Capsule Rare earth elements in seaweeds.

We monitored the concentration of 21 trace elements in zooplankton samples collected in a Northwestern Mediterranean coastal ecosystem (Italy). In the last 20 years, this area has been the target of important anthropogenic impacts including maritime traffic and substantial industrial activities. Zooplankton contributes to the transfer of trace metals to higher trophic levels and constitute one of the recommended groups for the baseline studies of metals in the marine environment. The essential trace elements (As, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Mo, Co, Cr, Se, Ni) and the nonessential trace elements (Al, Be, Cd, Pb, Sb, Sn, V) were generally found at concentrations of no concern in the analyzed zooplankton samples, but showed important variations between seasons and different water depths. The zooplankton was found to be a significant accumulator of metals, and bioaccumulation factors were in the range of 28 (Co) to 10,9015 (Fe) in marine surficial waters, with increasing values at increasing water depth. Zooplankton is a useful bioindicator to assess metal contamination and its impact in the marine environment.