Posidonia oceanica as a Historical Monitor Device of Lead Concentration in Marine Environment

Abstract

We show that Posidonia oceanica is able to reliably monitor the variability of environmental lead (Pb). We analyze lead concentration measured in the scales and rhizomes of Posidonia oceanica collected in seven sites along the coasts of the Sicily island and subsequently fractioned them according to a lepidochronological analysis. We measure lead concentration in Posidonia oceanica tissues by using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. We compare the measured lead concentration with the estimated lead emission in air due to the gasoline sold and used for combustion in car engines in Sicily. By computation of the Pearson cross-correlation coefficient, we show that lead concentration, which is measured in the scales of Posidonia oceanica, is statistically correlated to lead emission in air and reflects the level of lead pollution in the coastal marine environment.

Dating of a Sediment Core by 210Pbex Method and Pb Pollution Chronology in the Palermo Gulf (Italy)

“…Details on the leaded gasoline phasing out process in Italy can be found in Tranchina et al (2005). Leaded and unleaded gasoline consumption data in Palermo province area can be easily obtained (M. S. E. 1980-2000).…”

“…It is therefore worth considering the possibility of correlation between historical levels of Pb emission in air and lead concentration in sediment cores (Di Gregorio et al 2007) as already shown for dated fractions of Posidonia oceanica, whose study was recently carried out in other areas of Sicily (Tranchina et al 2005).…”

Heavy Metals Pollution of the Atlantic Marine Environment by the Moroccan Phosphate Industry, as Observed through their Bioaccumulation in Ulva Lactuca

“…The expected consequence is a possible accumulation of pollutants at the sediment interface and in various kinds of plants having a long life. Such a species, Posidonia, was recently used in Sicilia (Tranchina et al, 2005) to biomonitor the Pb pollution of the marine environment during more than 20 years. It is also expected further accumulations in animals living along the littoral.…”

“…In this study, instead of determining directly the element concentration in seawater, it was preferred to use the property of algae to bio-accumulate many heavy metals (Abu Hilal, 1994;Castilla & Nealler, 1978;Conti & Cechetti, 2003;Favero, Cattalini, Bertaggia, & Albergoni 1996;Foster, 1976;Haritonidis & Malea, 1995;Hou & Yan, 1998;Karez, Magalaes, Pfeiffer, & Amado Filho 1994;Leal, Vasconcelos, Souza-pinto, & Cabral 1997;Muse, Tudino, D_Huique, Troccoli, & Carducci 1995;Tranchina, Missichè, Bartolotta, Brai, & Mantegna, 2005;Vasquez & Guerra, 1996). Bioaccumulation processes by algae, needs more or less time, that smooths the time variability of concentrations in sea water.…”

PoCHL P expression pattern in Posidonia oceanica is related to critical light conditions

“…Due to its sensitivity to environmental perturbations, P. oceanica is widely recognized as a bioindicator of sea quality in this region (Pergent et al 1995, Ferrat et al 2003, Ruiz & Romero 2003, Tranchina et al 2005, Lafabrie et al 2007, Montefalcone 2009). The P. oceanica meadows have declined significantly throughout the Mediterranean basin over the past 2 decades (Marbà et al 1996, Short & Wyllie-Echeverria 1996.…”