Exploring the Impact of Contaminants of Emerging Concern on Fish and Invertebrates Physiology in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

In this historical context, the Mediterranean Sea faces an increasing threat from emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, pesticides and microplastics, which pose a serious risk to the environment and human health. In this regard, aquatic invertebrates and fish are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these pollutants, and several species have been identified as bio-indicators for their detection. Among these, bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are now widely used as bio-indicators to accurately assess the effects of contaminants. The study focuses on the catshark Scyliorhinus canicular and on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The first one is a useful indicator of localised contamination levels due to its exposure to pollutants that accumulate on the seabed. Moreover, it has a high trophic position and plays an important role in the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem. The bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis, on the other hand, being a filter-feeding organism, can acquire and bioaccumulate foreign particles present in its environment. Additionally, because it is also a species of commercial interest, it has a direct impact on human health. In conclusion, the increasing presence of emerging pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are two examples of bio-indicators that must be used to precisely determine the effects of these pollutants on the marine ecosystem and human health.

The odd couple: Caffeine and microplastics. Morphological and physiological changes in Mytilus galloprovincialis

“…While digestive cells in this group exhibited swelling in a hypotonic environment, they were unable to return to their initial volume, remaining swollen throughout the analysis. This trend corresponds with previous research findings regarding the impact of xenobiotics on M. galloprovincialis and may potentially disrupt the activity of enzymes involved in nutrient metabolism and digestion, ultimately leading to organ dysfunction (Impellitteri, Multisanti, Rusanova, Piccione, et al, 2023;Impellitteri, Yunko, Martyniuk, Khoma, et al, 2023;Impellitteri, Yunko, Martyniuk, Matskiv, et al, 2023;Pagano et al, 2022;.…”

“…The evaluation of RVD involved the isolation of digestive gland cells, following a protocol akin to that of several authors (Faggio et al, 2010;Impellitteri, Multisanti, Rusanova, Piccione, et al, 2023;Impellitteri, Yunko, Martyniuk, Khoma, et al, 2023;Impellitteri, Yunko, Martyniuk, Matskiv, et al, 2023;Pagano et al, 2017;Stara et al, 2020;Torre et al, 2013): initially, digestive glands were sourced from a randomly selected cohort of mussels. These glands were then mechanically minced and rinsed using a calcium and magnesium-free solution (CMFS; 1100 mOsm; pH 7.3).…”

“…The digestive gland is a pivotal organ for M. galloprovincialis as it plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolism, facilitating the absorption of environmental compounds, including xenobiotics (Pagano et al, 2022;. Any decline in the health of these cells can have significant implications for the overall well-being of the organism (Curpan et al, 2022;Impellitteri, Multisanti, Rusanova, Piccione, et al, 2023;Impellitteri, Yunko, Martyniuk, Khoma, et al, 2023).…”

Exposure to epoxiconazole induces hyperlocomotion in adult zebrafish

“…Simultaneously to the direct harm potentially induced by these compounds, the organisms can be affected through perturbations in the food chain, triggering ecological imbalance (Sarker et al 2023). Contamination of superficial waters with pesticides constitutes a threat to aquatic species, such as fishes, since exposure to these chemicals affects their natural physiology (Subaramaniyam et al 2023; Impellitteri et al 2023). The pathophysiological effects of pesticide exposure include metabolic, reproductive, and neurobehavioral alterations (Bojarski and Witeska 2020; Cui et al 2023).…”

Synergistic interaction of nanoparticles and probiotic delivery: A review

“…Beyond this, the application of nanotechnology brings forth therapeutic benefits that hold the potential to revolutionize various aspects of health and wellness (Durazzo et al, 2020). Nanotechnology produces nanoparticles between 10 and 1000 nm in size (Forouhar Vajargah et al, 2019;Impellitteri et al, 2023;Mohsenpour et al, 2020;Rashidian et al, 2021Rashidian et al, , 2023, which are characterized by a greater surface area and improve the bioavailability and intestinal absorption of these minute structures as well as nanoparticles that allow higher interactions with various components (Nel et al, 2009;Tsai et al, 2016). In this context, nanoencapsulation in a defensive cover of the nanometric scale may offer important compensation and novel potential.…”