Cristina Panti

Università degli Studi di Siena | UNISI · Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences

A number of marine species in the Mediterranean are threatened by the presence of several pressure factors, which include climate change, collisions with vessels, entanglement and ingestion of marine litter, especially plastic. Risk reduction policies can only be conceived starting from an accurate analysis of the exposure to such pressure factors....

This study delves into the magnitude and attributes of plastic pollution in the salt marshes of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, with a specific focus on its spatial distribution. The investigation included the evaluation of microplastics (1–5 mm), mesoplastics (5–25 mm) and macroplastics (25–100 mm), discovering elevated levels along the high...

Marine litter concentration in the Mediterranean Sea is strongly influenced both by anthropogenic pressures and hydrodynamic factors that locally characterise the basin. Within the Plastic Busters MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) Interreg Mediterranean Project, a comprehensive assessment of floating macro- and microlitter in the Pelagos Sanctuary and...

Although the seafloor is an important sink for marine litter, its less accessible environment makes seafloor litter the least studied component. Nevertheless, detailed monitoring of its composition and spatial distribution is urgently needed to develop appropriate mitigation strategies in areas exposed to multiple anthropogenic pressures, such as t...

Anthropogenic debris, including plastics, has recently been identified as a major threat for marine mammals and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims to achieve the good environmental status of European waters by addressing among other criteria, the effects of marine litter on biota. This study implemented for the first time a non-invasive t...

Plastic and microplastic pollution is a complex, muti-faceted challenge that has engaged a broad alliance of stakeholder groups who are concerned with environmental, biotic and human health [1]. The urgency surrounding this topic is evidenced by the ongoing negotiations regarding a global Plastics Treaty agreement [2,3]. The research area is rapidl...

This study provides an assessment of the efficiency of the biofouler Lepas (Lepas) anatifera Linnaeus, 1758 in capturing microplastics and microfiber particles floating in the water column. In this context, we collected pelagic gooseneck barnacles at fixed moorings in the Capo Milazzo Marine Protected Area (MPA). Fibers and fragments were found in...

The impacts of microplastics on filter feeders megafauna have recently received increased attention. These organisms are potentially exposed to plastic ingestion and the release of added/sorbed contaminants during feeding activities. An assessment of microplastic abundance and the chemical impact of Phthalates esters (PAEs) were performed in neusto...

Most studies examining the occurrence of plastics and microplastics in marine organisms have identified anthropogenic fibres, of natural and synthetic origin, as the most commonly occurring category. Anthropogenic fibres may have been chemically treated with additives making them more persistent and a potential threat to marine organisms. However,...

Populations of killer whale (Orcinus orca) contain some of the most polluted animals on Earth. Yet, the knowledge on effects of chemical pollutants is limited in this species. Cell cultures and in vitro exposure experiments are pertinent tools to study effects of pollutants in free-ranging marine mammals. To investigate transcriptional responses to...

Plastic pollution has been extensively documented in the marine food web, but targeted studies focusing on the relationship between microplastic ingestion and fish trophic niches are still limited. In this study we investigated the frequency of occurrence and the abundance of micro- and mesoplastics (MMPs) in eight fish species with different feedi...

Aquatic animals ingest Microplastics (MPs) which have the potential to affect the uptake and bioavailability of sorbed co-contaminants. However, the effects on living organisms still need to be properly understood. The present study was designed to assess the combined effects of MPs and environmental contaminants on zebrafish (Danio rerio) health a...

Elasmobranchs are priority species for conservation due to their rapid decline determined by the unbalanced struggle between a fragile bio-ecology and strong anthropogenic impacts, such as bycatch from professional fishing. In this context, measuring species resistance to catch of poorly selective gear is of paramount importance. During June–Octobe...

Transitional water ecosystems have low water exchanges and can trap chemicals and microplastics (MPs). In this study, MPs, trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-PHAs levels and the oxidative stress response were assessed in Mytilus galloprovincialis from two Italian lagoon ecosystems (Orbetello and Varano). In addition, the ecotoxicologic...

Marine debris is widespread in marine ecosystems and has profound impact on marine animals. The editorial introduces to the research topic ‘Impact of Marine Debris on Marine Ecosystems and Organisms’ aiming at better understanding the impact of marine debris on marine animals and the patterns related to marine debris on different interfaces of mari...

Whilst genetic studies can address a large number of issues related to cetaceans, the primary focus of these Best practices is on matters related to understanding population structure, abundance and movements in order for ACCOBAMS to meet its conservation and management objectives.

This study investigates for the first time the presence of microplastics in sediment, water, and benthic organisms (foraminifera) of a marine cave in the Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia, Italy). Microplastics were found in all water, and sediment samples with similar shapes, sizes, and compositions; identified items were mainly fragments and fibers consti...

In recent decades, microplastic pollution has been widespread all over the world affecting both marine and terrestrial environments. Marine caves, although generally considered as pristine environments, are potentially exposed to the supply of microplastics through contributions from both marine and continental waters. The Bue Marino cave system is...

Microplastic pollution is a major global environmental threat that has attracted increasing interest from the scientific community over the past decade. The semi-closed and highly urbanized Mediterranean Sea has been investigated since 2012, in several specific studies that have identified it as a target hotspot for microplastic contamination. The...

Few studies evaluated long-term effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) ingestion in fish. The present study aimed to investigate the integrated biomarker responses in the liver and blood of 162 European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, exposed for 90 days to control, virgin and marine incubated PVC enriched diets (0.1 % w/w) under co...

Plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea has been widely reported, but its impact on biodiversity has not been fully explored. Simultaneous sampling of microplastics (MP) with a manta net and surveys of large marine vertebrates were conducted along the coastal waters of Sicily (Western Ionian Sea). A total of 17 neustonic samples have been collec...

Among killer whale forms, type C is a fish-eating form and is the most common in the Ross Sea. In the austral summer 2015, a study was conducted to evaluate the toxicological hazard these marine mammals face in the Antarctic ecosystem. Seven biopsy samples were collected from adult individuals (five males and two females) in the surroundings of the...

Organs and content of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of marine mammals are relevant for a variety of investigations and provide data to researchers from different fields. Currently used protocols applied to the GIT for specific analysis limit the possibility to execute other investigations and important information could be lost. To ensure a pro...

This is a Frontiers e-book comprised of a collection of articles that discuss a wide range of topics related to microplastic pollution. You can download the e-book via the link bellow: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/12090/microplastics-in-the-marine-environment-sources-distribution-biological-effects-and-socio-economic-i

Due to massive production, improper use, and disposal of plastics, microplastics have become global environmental pollutants affecting both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Several studies have documented the uptake of microplastics in wild species and the correlated biological effects, such as epithelial damage, inflammation, metabolic alteration...

A heterogeneous amount of waste of different origins is continuously generated along Italian coasts in the Mediterranean Sea. In this paper, using information regarding the quantities and the different types of marine litter based on Project AWARE's “Dive Against Debris” data, we try to identify the main sources of this waste. In particular, the me...

In the framework of the Plastic Busters MPAs project, a harmonization exercise on two methods of microplastic extraction from biological samples i.e. 15% H2O2 digestion and 10% KOH digestion was carried out. The two methods were tested in four laboratories on fish gastrointestinal tracts and mussel tissues spiked with polyethylene, polypropylene an...

The Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is one of the least known cetacean species worldwide. The decreasing population trend and associated threats has led to the IUCN categorising the Mediterranean subpopulation as Vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species. This study aimed to investigate for the first time the ecotoxicological sta...

The phenotypic plasticity of many organisms is mediated in part by epigenetics, the heritable changes in gene activity that occur without any alterations to DNA sequence. A major mechanism in epigenetics is the DNA methylation (DNAm). Hypo- and hyper-methylation are generalized responses to control gene expression however recent studies have demons...

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most affected areas by marine litter in the world. Marine litter and in particular floating plastics have been found in the Mediterranean Sea in comparable quantities to those found in the five oceanic garbage patches and affect ecosystems and several species at different trophic level. A harmonized and integrate...

An intercalibration exercise on the characterisation of microplastics in marine sediment and water samples was carried out among five laboratories involved in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in their country. The samples were prepared by mixing cleaned natural sediment and sea water with microplastics sets made...

Legal restrictions and bans have led to a steady decrease in PCB environmental concentrations. Yet, in recent years PCBs have been found at very high levels in the Mediterranean Sea, for instance, in some apex predators. This work aimed to investigate current PCB (eighteen congeners: #28,52,77,81,101,105,114,118,123,126,138,153,156,157,167,169,180,...

Plastics are the most common marine litter typology found on the beaches and seafloor or floating on the sea surface and water column [1, 2, 3]. When these plastic items reach micro size (<5 mm) they are commonly known as microplastics (MPs) [4].

The Mediterranean basin, a worldwide biodiversity hotspot, as previously underlined, is one of the world seas most affected by marine litter, including microplastics [1, 2, 3]. Recent studies in the different regions of the basin suggest that some areas, including important MPAs and Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) such...

Microplastics have become pervasive environmental pollutants in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. The presence of microplastics have been recorded in the tissues of many wild fish species, and laboratory studies have demonstrated that microplastics can exert adverse health effects. To further investigate the biological mechanisms underlying mi...

Editorial to the Frontiers Research Topic "Impacts of Marine Litter" https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/6356/impacts-of-marine-litter#overview

Marine litter is a pollution problem affecting thousands of marine species in all the world's seas andoceans. Marine litter, in particular plastic, has negative impacts on marine wildlife primarily due toingestion and entanglement. Since most marine mammal species negatively interact with marine litter, afirst workshop under the framework of the Eu...

Marine mammals in the Barents Sea region have among the highest levels of contaminants recorded in the Arctic and the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) is one of the most contaminated species within this region. We therefore investigated the relationships bewteen blubber concentrations of lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) a...

Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology: Impacts of Multiple Stressors on Population Health provides tactics on how to develop a comprehensive methodology for the study of existing threats to marine mammals. By presenting a conservation-biology approach and new and emerging technologies, this work helps provide crucial knowledge on the status of marine mammal...

Monitoring efforts are required to understand the sources, distribution and abundance of microplastic pollution. To verify the abundance of microplastics along the Tuscan coastal waters (Italy), water-column and surface samples were collected in two seasons across four transects at different distances to the coast (0.5, 5, 10 and 20 km), within the...

The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in the world. Although effects on organisms from marine plastic litter ingestion have been investigated in several oceanic areas, there is still a lack of information from the Mediterranean Sea. The main objectives of this paper are to review current knowled...

Impacts of debris on marine fauna occur throughout the marine ecosystems, with adverse impacts documented on over 1,400 species; impacts can be divided into those arising from entanglement, and those from ingestion. Ingestion of, and entanglement in, debris has been documented in over 60% of all cetacean species. Seabirds are also impacted by debri...

The Mediterranean Sea is greatly affected by marine litter. In this area, research on the impact of plastic debris (including microplastics) on biota, particularly large filter-feeding species such as the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), is still in its infancy. We investigated the possible overlap between microplastic, mesoplastic and macrolitte...

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species that may be exposed to micro- and macro-plastic ingestion as a result of their filter-feeding activity, particularly on the sea surface. In this pilot project we perform the first ecotoxicological investigation on whale sharks sampled in the Gulf of California exploring the potential intera...

Development of new gene expression biomarkers for microplastics in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L., 1758) experimentally exposed to PVC Anthropogenic debris is a growing environmental concern, whose implications are not yet thoroughly understood despite its global importance. Plastic debris, in particular microplastics (MPs; <1 mm), has c...

Ingestion of plastics and microplastics by marine organisms may have physical and toxicological noxious effects creating a serious threat to marine species. There is a need to develop methods to evaluate the plastic exposure in free-ranging marine wildlife particularly related to microplastic ingestion. To this aim, seven phthalate esters (PAEs) we...

Background The impact that pollutants have on whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) is a question that remains largely unexplored. Whale sharks (WSs) are known to aggregate seasonally in different areas in the Gulf of California. Although this species is protected in Mexico since 2001, habitats for most of these aggregations are not protected. Out of th...

Environmental context Plastic materials are accumulating in the marine environment where they can now be found in the remotest areas of the world's oceans. Microplastics (plastic particles ≤5mm), abundant in marine surface waters, are also found in neritic and pelagic waters of Mediterranean marine protected areas. Microplastics can accumulate alon...

The need for powerful new tools to detect the effects of chemical pollution, in particular of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Mediterranean cetaceans led us to develop and apply a suite of sensitive biomarkers for integument biopsies of stranded and free-ranging animals. This multi-response ex viv...

In this work, a suite of diagnostic biomarkers was applied to seven cetacean species to evaluate the role of the feeding habits and migratory behavior in the toxicological status of these species from the Gulf of California, Mexico. We investigate the interspecific differences in cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2B (CYP1A1 and CYP2B, respectively), aryl hyd...

Las ballenas como bioindicadoras de la salud de los océanos 479 479 23 Las ballenas como bioindicadoras de la salud de los océanos utilizando técnicas no-letales Resumen. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es presentar el desarrollo y la aplica-ción de un biomarcador multi-prueba, con un enfoque multidisciplinario utilizando biopsias de la piel...

On June 2013 a workshop at the University of Siena (Italy) was organized to review current knowledge and to clarify what is known, and what remains to be investigated, concerning plastic litter in the sea. The content of the workshop was designed to contribute further to the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) following an inaugural...

The main objective of this pilot project was to investigate for the first time the ecotoxicological status of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in the San Ignacio Lagoon (Mexico). The differences in CYP1A1 and CYP2B expression, and contaminant levels (OCs) were investigated in two different period of the breeding season and between mothers and cal...

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy has been developed and is being implemented, with the objective to deliver "Good Environmental Status" by 2020. A pragmatic way forward has been achieved through the development of 11 "qualitative descriptors". In...

The CYP1 gene family, a cornerstone in toxicological processes, has been implicated also in physiological processes. Here we summarize the history and current views of this gene family. CYP1As have long been known to participate in responses to AH receptor agonists and metabolism of carcinogens and other chemicals. CYP1B1 has regulatory and catalyt...

Introduction Due to its widespread use as flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are today ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Structurally related to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), they exhibit persistence in the environment, long-range atmospheric transportation and ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify through terrestri...

Mediterranean cetacean odontocetes are exposed to environmental stress, in particular to persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements. In the present study, the response of "gene-expression biomarkers" was evaluated in Mediterranean striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) skin biopsies collected in three sampli...

Farnesoic acid O-methyl transferase (FAMeT) is the enzyme involved in the penultimate step of insect juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis and is thus a key regulator in insect development and reproduction. We report the characterization of the putative-FAMeT in the medfly or Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. This gene was identified by sup...

The main objective of this study was to apply a set of sensitive non-lethal biomarkers in skin biopsies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) to evaluate the toxicological status of this mysticete in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea) and in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez-Mexico). We developed a "multi-trial diagnostic tool" (based on...

Besides functioning as chemosensors for a broad range of endogenous and synthetic ligands, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1-4 channels have also been related to capsaicin (TRPV1), pain, and thermal stimuli perception, and itching sensation (TRPV1-4). While the expression of the TRPV1-4 genes has been adequately proved in skin, sensor...

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) represents an effective molecular technique for the detection of mRNA expression in biological samples. Its sensitivity allows the quantification of slight changes in the regulation of gene transcription but is strictly dependent upon the method followed during the normalization procedure. Relative quantificatio...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the Act-B gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the Act-B gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the GAPDH gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the GAPDH gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the SDHA gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the SDHA gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated t...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the YWHAZ gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the YWHAZ gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the RPL4 gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the RPL4 gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated t...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the B2M gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the B2M gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated tot...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the PGK1 gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the PGK1 gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated t...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the RPS18 gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the RPS18 gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the TFRC gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the TFRC gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated t...

Melting curve analyses obtained for the HPRT1 gene. Melting curve analyses image (jpg format) collected using the iQ5 Optical System Software 1.0 (Bio-Rad) during calibration experiments of the selected primer pair for the HPRT1 gene. Data were obtained using 1:5 dilutions of template cDNA (retrotranscribed from striped dolphin skin biopsy isolated...

Odontocete cetaceans occupy the top position of the marine food-web and are particularly sensitive to the bioaccumulation of lipophilic contaminants. The effects of environmental pollution on these species are highly debated and various ecotoxicological studies have addressed the impact of xenobiotic compounds on marine mammals, raising conservatio...