Department of
Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics

Ecotoxicology

The laboratory studies the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of priority and emerging contaminants, materials and environmental matrices (water, sediment and soil) on indicator organisms. Current research topics include:

  • The study of the effects of contaminants and materials on the larval development and reproductive capacity of crustaceans and molluscs (copepods, amphipods, marine bivalves, freshwater gastropods);
  • The study of the bioaccumulation of emerging contaminants in vertebrates (birds and mammals) using non-destructive methods (feather and faeces analysis);
  • The study of bioaccumulation of emerging contaminants in fish.
Research group

Collaborators

  • Russo Martina (Research Fellow)
  • Distefano Gabriele Giuseppe (Research Fellow)
  • Baccichet Marco (Research Fellow)

Collaborations

Publications

  • Distefano, G.G., Zangrando, R., Basso, M., Panzarin, L., Gambaro, A., Volpi Ghirardini, A., Picone, M. (2022). Assessing the exposure to human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in waterbirds: The use of feathers for monitoring antidepressants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Science of the Total Environment. Volume 821, 15 May 2022, 153473 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153473
  • Distefano, G.G., Zangrando, R., Basso, M., Panzarin, L., Gambaro, A., Volpi Ghirardini, A., Picone, M. (2022). The ubiquity of neonicotinoid contamination: Residues in seabirds with different trophic habits. Environmental Research, vol. 206, 15 April 2022, 112637 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112637
  • Picone, M.,Distefano, G.G., Corami, F., Franzoi, P., Redolfi Bristol, S., Basso, M., Panzarin, L., Volpi Ghirardini, A. (2022). Occurrence of rare earth elements in fledgelings of Thalasseus sandvicensis. Environmental Research Volume 204, Part B, March 2022, 112152 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112152
  • Picone, M., Distefano, G.G., Marchetto, D., Russo, M., Vecchiato, M., Gambaro, A., Barbante, C., Volpi Ghirardini, A. (2021). Fragrance materials (FMs) affect the larval development of the copepod Acartia tonsa: An emerging issue for marine ecosystems. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Volume 215, 1 June 2021, 112146 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112146
  • Picone, M., Bergamin, M.; Delaney, E.; Volpi Ghirardini, A. (2018). Assessment of whole-sediment chronic toxicity using sub-lethal endpoints with Monocorophium insidiosum. Ecotoxicology, vol. 27, pp. 1237-1248 (ISSN 0963-9292) https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620120812

Case studies

  • Development of methods based on the early life cycle stages of ecologically and economically important species
  • Development of evaluation and management tools for sediment monitoring, purification technologies, environmental compatibility of natural and artificial materials
  • Development of ecotoxicological approaches for nanomaterials

Current topics of importance include:

  1. the development of ecotoxicological methods based on long-term endpoints
  2. the study of drug contamination in water environments
  3. the study of the ecotoxicological effects of emerging pollutants (neonicotinoids, fragrances, drugs)
  4. the environmental compatibility of wood protection techniques.

Equipment

  • Thermostatic cells (climatic chamber VtoZETA038)
  • Laminar flow hood
  • Aquariums of various sizes and types
  • Glove boxes
  • Ultracentrifuge and benchtop centrifuge
  • Thermostatic baths
  • Refrigerated thermostats/incubators
  • Jar Test and Rotax, Spectrophotometer
  • Inversion microscope, Microtox analyser

Research projects

DuraSoft - Innovative technologies to improve the durability of traditional wooden structures in socio-ecologically sensitive environments

Over millennia, in the Italian lagoons and in the Slovenian highlands, fishing and agro-pastoral activities have produced unique house forms in which wood is dominant. They are associated with wooden service infrastructures such as fences, piers and moorings. In humid mountain and coastal environments the existence of these structures and their associated cultural heritage was made possible only by a constant maintenance which, nowadays, is no longer economically sustainable. Hence, to counter the massive and rapid degradation of wood, impacting preservatives and unsuitable materials have been used. The project therefore aims to test some innovative techniques and products, developed and produced by the partners, which increase the durability of traditional wood species, especially softwood. The wood treated in this way could be used in traditional buildings located in Socio-ecologically sensitive environments within the Alpine-maritime Adriatic area, making its use economically and environmentally sustainable. The environmental compatibility of these techniques will be assessed in the light of the most recent scientific knowledge and protocols developed by the partners and transferable to the entire program area.

Website: https://www.ita-slo.eu/it/durasoft

EMERGE - Evaluation, control and Mitigation of the EnviRonmental impacts of shippinG Emissions

The EMERGE project aims to comprehensively quantify and evaluate the effects of several potential emission reduction technologies for shipping in Europe and provide recommendations and guidance on the most suitable, effective and cost-beneficial options to significantly reduce marine pollution. This activity will include the collection of experimental data and the development of an integrated modelling framework to assess the combined impacts on the aquatic and atmospheric environments of air emissions and waste streams of ships equipped with several potential emission control technologies.

Website: https://emerge-h2020.eu/

NANORESTART - NANOmaterials for the REStoration of works of ART

NANORESTART is a H2020 project involving 26 international partners which aims to develop sustainable nanotechnologies for the conservation of modern and contemporary art. New nanotechnological formulations will be developed for the following operations: cleaning of plastic and pictorial surfaces, consolidation of canvases and pictorial layers, removal of unwanted materials and protection of works of art in museums and outdoor areas. These formulations will be tested, as part of the project, on numerous case studies.

Website: http://www.nanorestart.eu/

Last update: 17/04/2024