Ecotoxicological monitoring of off-shore and on-shore mining activities

This line of research involved the development of application protocols for the use of biomarkers on animal bioindicators for ecotoxicological risk assessment of areas related to onshore (On-shore) and offshore (Off-shore) oil activities.  The estimation of "environmental quality" was carried out using biomarkers as a diagnostic/prognostic tool.

• The knowledge that has been gained as a result of carrying out these projects has contributed and will contribute adequately: a) to the European emergence of cost-benefit management models for contamination reduction, recovery of degraded ecosystems and sustainable development of the marine environment; b) to provide important input to the most relevant conventions in the field (e.g. OSPARCOM, HELCOM, Barcelona and Bucharest Conventions).
• On bio-indicator organisms (in cages and/or in situ), belonging to various systematic groups (invertebrates and vertebrates), chosen on the basis of the location of the survey site and an ecological study of the area under investigation, some biomarkers of exposure and effect to pollutant compounds derived from oil extraction processes such as: MFO system induction (BPMO, EROD, PROD, CytP450-Reductase), Porphyrins (Copro-, Uro-,Proto-porphyrins and total porphyrins), PAH metabolites in bile, Esterases (AchE, BchE, CbE), Vitellogenin, Radiated Zone Proteins, Micronuclei, DNA Adducts, Antioxidant Systems, Metallothioneins. These sensitive indices of exposure and effect to these classes of contaminants made it possible to monitor and control the ecotoxicological impact of the study area based on biological responses.
• All the studies carried out in the different extractive realities have seen as a final stage the realization of a pilot application protocol for the study of ecotoxicological monitoring of extractive areas, fundamentally related to the Italian Mediterranean marine and terrestrial environment, by means of an integrated approach based on multiple responses of biomarkers and contaminant analyses (PAHs, Heavy Metals).