Bauxite Manufacturing Residues From Gardanne (France) and Portovesme (Italy) Exert Different Patterns of Pollution and Toxicity to Sea Urchin Embryos

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the composition and toxicity of solid residues from bauxite manufacturing plants. Soil and dust samples were collected in the proximity of two bauxite plants (Gardanne, France, and Portovesme, Italy). Samples were analyzed for their content of some selected inorganic contaminants by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) either following acid digestion procedures or by seawater release of soluble components. Toxicity was tested by sea urchin bioassays to evaluate a set of toxicity endpoints including acute embryotoxicity, developmental defects, changes in sperm fertilization success, transmissible damage from sperm to the offspring, and cytogenetic abnormalities. Inorganic analysis showed two distinct sets of inorganic contaminants in Gardanne versus Portovesme, including Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ti, and Zn; sample composition (seawater-soluble contaminants) and toxicity showed a noteworthy association. The most severe toxicity to embryogenesis and to sperm fertilization success was exerted by some Portovesme samples (0.03-0.5% w/v), with a significant association between toxicity and dose-related seawater release of Zn, Pb, and Mn. Seawater extraction of a toxic dust sample (G20) from the Gardanne factory showed increasing seawater release of Al, Fe, and Mn; the G20 sample, at the level of 0.5%, affected both developing sea urchin embryos and sperm (offspring quality). Soil samples around the Gardanne factory showed the highest frequency of toxic soil sites eastward from the factory. The present data point to solid deposition from bauxite plants as a potential subject of environmental health concern. The results suggest that extraction methods for evaluating the toxicity of complex mixtures should be based on the environmental availability of mixture components. The differences in sample toxicity among the tested sites, however, suggest possible site-to-site variability in geochemical and/or technological parameters.

Exocyclic DNA adducts in sheep with skeletal fluorosis resident in the proximity of the Portoscuso-Portovesme industrial estate on Sardinia Island, Italy

“…[12][13][14] The generation of M 1 dG adducts, a biomarker of oxidative stress and LPO, 18,[32][33][34][35] is promoted by a secondary reaction that may be induced by any reactive species capable of inducing oxidative stress. Therefore, the heavy metals emitted from the non-ferrous metallurgy estate 9,11 may also play a relevant role in the formation of exocyclic DNA adducts. For example, Cd is not redox-active, but it may induce increased levels of oxidative stress, possibly through the inhibitory effect on antioxidant enzymes, as well as by the inhibition of DNA-repair systems.…”

“…2 Adverse health effects, including clinical signs of fluorosis, have been associated with environmental exposure to fluoride in aluminum smelting and steel foundries, [3][4][5] as well as in the surrounding residential area. 7 A number of pollutants may be emitted from aluminum smelting complexes, including gaseous and particulate fluorides, 2,8 cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), 9,10 formaldehyde and phenol, 11 that may cause adverse health effects for workers, 3 as well as people and domestic animals. 7 A number of pollutants may be emitted from aluminum smelting complexes, including gaseous and particulate fluorides, 2,8 cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), 9,10 formaldehyde and phenol, 11 that may cause adverse health effects for workers, 3 as well as people and domestic animals.…”

“…6 The Portoscuso-Portovesme industrial estate, Cagliari province, Sardinia Island, Italy, hosts the largest non-ferrous metallurgy complexes with facilities for processing aluminium and other metals in the Mediterranean area. 7 A number of pollutants may be emitted from aluminum smelting complexes, including gaseous and particulate fluorides, 2,8 cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), 9,10 formaldehyde and phenol, 11 that may cause adverse health effects for workers, 3 as well as people and domestic animals. 6,[12][13][14] As in the case of many chronic degenerative diseases, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent DNA damage and peroxidation of lipids (LPO) are considered to play a relevant role in the etiology of fluorosis.…”

Effects of local scale perturbations in the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) trap fishery of Sardinia (W. Mediterranean)

“…South-western Sardinia's mining areas produced about 15 Mton of metal, which makes the region comparable to Ireland in total metal production (Salminen et al, 2005). The cumulative impacts of environmental hazards in south-western Sardinia resulting from mining and industrial activities is well documented: on land (Leita et al, 1989;Caboi et al, 1993;Boni et al, 1999;ISS, 2002), in coastal areas (Caredda et al, 1999;Pagano et al, 2002), and in human health risk factors (Cardia et al, 1989;Sanna et al, 2002;Cocco et al, 1996). However, there is little information available on the impact of such factors on pelagic marine fisheries.…”

Complex Mixture-Associated Hormesis and Toxicity: The Case of Leather Tanning Industry

“…Thus, investigating complex mixture-associated contamination and toxicity may provide direct information on the impact of anthropogenic pollution sources in environmental and human health (Chapman 2002). In previous studies, we had reported on toxicities of several complex mixtures, as environmentally-occurring and spiked marine and freshwater sediments (Pagano et al 1993; 2001a; Guillou et al 2000), industrial wastewater and contaminated soil (Trieff et al 1995; Pagano et al 1996; 2002a,b), and a pesticide formulation (Pagano et al 2001b).…”