The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the managem... more The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the management framework for environmental protection, some coastal areas, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula region, are affected by plastic contamination. The few data available on the occurrence of microplastics (<5 mm) are difficult to compare, due to the different methodologies used in monitoring studies. However, indications are emerging to guide future research and to implement environmental protocols. In the surface and subsurface waters of the Southern Ocean, plastic debris >300 µm appears to be scarce and far less abundant than paint chips released from research vessels. Yet, near some coastal scientific stations, the fragmentation and degradation of larger plastic items, as well as microbeads and microfibers released into wastewater from personal care products and laundry, could potentially affect marine organisms. Some studies indicate that, through long-range atmospheric tra...
Concentrations of major ions, silicate and nutrients (total N and P) were measured in samples of ... more Concentrations of major ions, silicate and nutrients (total N and P) were measured in samples of surface water from 28 lakes in ice-free areas of northern Victoria Land (East Antarctica). Sixteen lakes were sampled during austral summers 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 to assess temporal variation in water chemistry. Although samples showed a wide range in ion concentrations, their composition mainly reflected that of seawater. In general, as the distance from the sea increased, the input of elements from the marine environment (through aerosols and seabirds) decreased and there was an increase in nitrate and sulfate concentrations. Antarctic lakes lack outflows and during the austral summer the melting and/or ablation of ice cover, water evaporation and leaching processes in dry soils determine a progressive increase in water ion concentrations. During the five-year monitoring survey, no statistically significant variation in the water chemistry were detected, except for a slight (hardly significant) increase in TN concentrations. However, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that other factors besides distance from the sea, the presence of nesting seabirds, the sampling time and percentage of ice cover affect the composition of water in Antarctic cold desert environments.
FIGURE 2. Distribution of Parergodrilus heideri in Europe. (A), Map of records (in red the new lo... more FIGURE 2. Distribution of Parergodrilus heideri in Europe. (A), Map of records (in red the new localities) Courtesy Google Earth. (B), Altitudinal distribution of records in relation to latitude (horizontal axis not in scale).
The amounts of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the epiphytic lichenParmelia sulcata Tayl. and in surf a... more The amounts of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the epiphytic lichenParmelia sulcata Tayl. and in surf ace soils of Mt. Amiata (centrai ltaly) were measured. Using Al as a reference element, the data were normalized and background concentrations were established. In a separate tria!, concentrations of the above elements in outer and inner barks of supporting trees (oak, chestnut, and beech) were determined. The possibility of an uptake of some elements from the substrate, although not very likely, cannot be excluded completely.
Il lavoro ha lo scopo di fornire i valori baseline di 53 elementi per le due varietà del lichene ... more Il lavoro ha lo scopo di fornire i valori baseline di 53 elementi per le due varietà del lichene epifita Pseudevernia furfuracea presenti in Italia, var. furfuracea e var. ceratea. Il materiale è stato campionato tra l’estate 2014 e l’inverno 2015 in 59 siti di 12 regioni italiane in ambienti naturali o prossimo-naturali. In 7 aree è stato possibile effettuare raccolte lungo transetti altitudinali compresi tra 1200 e 2200 m s.l.m. Nella maggioranza dei siti sono stati prelevati almeno 30 talli prediligendo substrati omogenei per evitare potenziali differenze di accumulo a carico di taluni elementi. Durante la fase di campionamento sono state registrate informazioni integrative riguardanti forofita, litologia, altitudine e distanza da eventuali strade, aree industriali o altre fonti potenziali di inquinamento d’origine antropica. In laboratorio i campioni delle due varietà sono stati separati mediante spot test e quindi a seguire sono stati effettuati controlli a campione tramite spot test e TLC per confermare i risultati delle analisi preliminari. Da ciascun tallo sono state prelevate le parti distali delle lacinie (15-25 mm), che sono state polverizzate e quindi sottoposte a digestione mediante acido nitrico e acqua regia. Il contenuto elementare è stato misurato tramite ICP-MS su 5 repliche di 1 g ciascuna per ciascun sito e per ciascuna varietà (quando possibile). Per 20 siti si fornisce un confronto accoppiato del contenuto elementare nelle due varietà, dimostrando che esse non differiscono in maniera significativa tranne per pochi elementi. I campionamenti hanno inoltre reso possibile caratterizzare la distribuzione delle due varietà sia in senso altitudinale che latitudinale, confermando che la var. ceratea ha una distribuzione molto più limitata rispetto alla var. furfuracea, che è decisamente più eurioica e relativamente comune anche a bassa quota
The use of epiphytic lichens as quantitative monitors of airborne heavy metals needs a standardiz... more The use of epiphytic lichens as quantitative monitors of airborne heavy metals needs a standardization of collection, analytical procedures and of data elaboration. Evidence is given of a patterned metal accumulation in lichens and for the foliose species, the analysis of the outermost edge of the thallus is suggested. Moreover, the raw concentrations of metals must be normalized to the
We determined genetic variation and metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in L... more We determined genetic variation and metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in Leptodon smithii moss collected in holm oak stands at cities, outskirts and remote areas of Campania and Tuscany (Italy) to investigate if anthropogenic pressure (pollutant emissions and land use change) affects moss genetic richness. In both regions, metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations reflected the trend urban&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;outskirts&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;remote areas, excepting Tuscany remote site. In both regions, the moss gene diversity increased from urban to remote areas. The findings suggest the extent and the fragmentation of urban green areas, as drivers of moss genetic richness.
In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-re... more In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-requisite for the correct assessment of pollution levels. Here, we estimated the BEC values of a highly performing biomonitor, the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, by means of a careful review of literature data, integrated by an extensive field survey. Methodologically homogeneous element content datasets, reflecting different exposure conditions across European and extra-European countries, were compiled and comparatively analysed. Element content in samples collected in remote areas was compared to that of potentially enriched samples, testing differences between medians for 25 elements. This analysis confirmed that the former samples were substantially unaffected by anthropogenic contributions, and their metrics were therefore proposed as a first overview at supra-national background level. We also showed that bioaccumulation studies suffer a huge methodological variability. L...
The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the managem... more The number of scientists and tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise and, despite the management framework for environmental protection, some coastal areas, particularly in the Antarctic Peninsula region, are affected by plastic contamination. The few data available on the occurrence of microplastics (<5 mm) are difficult to compare, due to the different methodologies used in monitoring studies. However, indications are emerging to guide future research and to implement environmental protocols. In the surface and subsurface waters of the Southern Ocean, plastic debris >300 µm appears to be scarce and far less abundant than paint chips released from research vessels. Yet, near some coastal scientific stations, the fragmentation and degradation of larger plastic items, as well as microbeads and microfibers released into wastewater from personal care products and laundry, could potentially affect marine organisms. Some studies indicate that, through long-range atmospheric tra...
Concentrations of major ions, silicate and nutrients (total N and P) were measured in samples of ... more Concentrations of major ions, silicate and nutrients (total N and P) were measured in samples of surface water from 28 lakes in ice-free areas of northern Victoria Land (East Antarctica). Sixteen lakes were sampled during austral summers 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 to assess temporal variation in water chemistry. Although samples showed a wide range in ion concentrations, their composition mainly reflected that of seawater. In general, as the distance from the sea increased, the input of elements from the marine environment (through aerosols and seabirds) decreased and there was an increase in nitrate and sulfate concentrations. Antarctic lakes lack outflows and during the austral summer the melting and/or ablation of ice cover, water evaporation and leaching processes in dry soils determine a progressive increase in water ion concentrations. During the five-year monitoring survey, no statistically significant variation in the water chemistry were detected, except for a slight (hardly significant) increase in TN concentrations. However, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that other factors besides distance from the sea, the presence of nesting seabirds, the sampling time and percentage of ice cover affect the composition of water in Antarctic cold desert environments.
FIGURE 2. Distribution of Parergodrilus heideri in Europe. (A), Map of records (in red the new lo... more FIGURE 2. Distribution of Parergodrilus heideri in Europe. (A), Map of records (in red the new localities) Courtesy Google Earth. (B), Altitudinal distribution of records in relation to latitude (horizontal axis not in scale).
The amounts of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the epiphytic lichenParmelia sulcata Tayl. and in surf a... more The amounts of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the epiphytic lichenParmelia sulcata Tayl. and in surf ace soils of Mt. Amiata (centrai ltaly) were measured. Using Al as a reference element, the data were normalized and background concentrations were established. In a separate tria!, concentrations of the above elements in outer and inner barks of supporting trees (oak, chestnut, and beech) were determined. The possibility of an uptake of some elements from the substrate, although not very likely, cannot be excluded completely.
Il lavoro ha lo scopo di fornire i valori baseline di 53 elementi per le due varietà del lichene ... more Il lavoro ha lo scopo di fornire i valori baseline di 53 elementi per le due varietà del lichene epifita Pseudevernia furfuracea presenti in Italia, var. furfuracea e var. ceratea. Il materiale è stato campionato tra l’estate 2014 e l’inverno 2015 in 59 siti di 12 regioni italiane in ambienti naturali o prossimo-naturali. In 7 aree è stato possibile effettuare raccolte lungo transetti altitudinali compresi tra 1200 e 2200 m s.l.m. Nella maggioranza dei siti sono stati prelevati almeno 30 talli prediligendo substrati omogenei per evitare potenziali differenze di accumulo a carico di taluni elementi. Durante la fase di campionamento sono state registrate informazioni integrative riguardanti forofita, litologia, altitudine e distanza da eventuali strade, aree industriali o altre fonti potenziali di inquinamento d’origine antropica. In laboratorio i campioni delle due varietà sono stati separati mediante spot test e quindi a seguire sono stati effettuati controlli a campione tramite spot test e TLC per confermare i risultati delle analisi preliminari. Da ciascun tallo sono state prelevate le parti distali delle lacinie (15-25 mm), che sono state polverizzate e quindi sottoposte a digestione mediante acido nitrico e acqua regia. Il contenuto elementare è stato misurato tramite ICP-MS su 5 repliche di 1 g ciascuna per ciascun sito e per ciascuna varietà (quando possibile). Per 20 siti si fornisce un confronto accoppiato del contenuto elementare nelle due varietà, dimostrando che esse non differiscono in maniera significativa tranne per pochi elementi. I campionamenti hanno inoltre reso possibile caratterizzare la distribuzione delle due varietà sia in senso altitudinale che latitudinale, confermando che la var. ceratea ha una distribuzione molto più limitata rispetto alla var. furfuracea, che è decisamente più eurioica e relativamente comune anche a bassa quota
The use of epiphytic lichens as quantitative monitors of airborne heavy metals needs a standardiz... more The use of epiphytic lichens as quantitative monitors of airborne heavy metals needs a standardization of collection, analytical procedures and of data elaboration. Evidence is given of a patterned metal accumulation in lichens and for the foliose species, the analysis of the outermost edge of the thallus is suggested. Moreover, the raw concentrations of metals must be normalized to the
We determined genetic variation and metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in L... more We determined genetic variation and metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in Leptodon smithii moss collected in holm oak stands at cities, outskirts and remote areas of Campania and Tuscany (Italy) to investigate if anthropogenic pressure (pollutant emissions and land use change) affects moss genetic richness. In both regions, metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations reflected the trend urban&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;outskirts&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;remote areas, excepting Tuscany remote site. In both regions, the moss gene diversity increased from urban to remote areas. The findings suggest the extent and the fragmentation of urban green areas, as drivers of moss genetic richness.
In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-re... more In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-requisite for the correct assessment of pollution levels. Here, we estimated the BEC values of a highly performing biomonitor, the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, by means of a careful review of literature data, integrated by an extensive field survey. Methodologically homogeneous element content datasets, reflecting different exposure conditions across European and extra-European countries, were compiled and comparatively analysed. Element content in samples collected in remote areas was compared to that of potentially enriched samples, testing differences between medians for 25 elements. This analysis confirmed that the former samples were substantially unaffected by anthropogenic contributions, and their metrics were therefore proposed as a first overview at supra-national background level. We also showed that bioaccumulation studies suffer a huge methodological variability. L...
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