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IEEE MetroSea 2021
MetroSea2021-S73

Technical Session

2021 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea

IEEE MetroSea 2021

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Special Session LIVE SESSION

Optical Methods and Systems for Water Pollution Detection, Characterization and Monitoring - PART 3

6 October, 202116:00 - 17:05 CEST

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PRESENTATIONS
SESSION DETAILS

16:00 - 16:20

INVITED - Fluorescence Microscopy and Molecular Biology Methods as Tools for Assessing the Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Sea Urchin Development

Giovanna Romano - Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

PRESENTATION

INVITED - Fluorescence Microscopy and Molecular Biology Methods as Tools for Assessing the Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Sea Urchin Development

ABSTRACT

Paracentrotus lividus is the dominant sea urchin in the Mediterranean Sea, influencing the dynamics of coastal water ecosystems. It has been considered a good model system to study the response of marine organisms to environmental stress. Indeed, their eggs, embryos and larvae transparency, as well as their sensitivity to pollutants, made this organism particularly suitable for embryotoxicity tests and for monitoring or risk assessment programs. A number of inorganic compounds, especially heavy metals, were tested for their adverse effects on sea urchin development, fertilization success, as well as other effects as induction of apoptosis, calcification defects, DNA damage and/or increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this work, examples of microscopy techniques and molecular approaches used to assess the effects of heavy metals on the sea urchin development are presented.

16:20 - 16:35

The effect of the detergent on microfibre release during the washing process of polyester textiles

Michela Volgare - National Research Council of Italy - IPCB

PRESENTATION

The effect of the detergent on microfibre release during the washing process of polyester textiles

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are defined as plastic fragments with dimensions lower than 5 mm, which are gaining much attention due to their ubiquitous and possibly dangerous presence in marine environment, representing a threat for marine ecosystems, and potentially for humans. Although many studies warn about the quantity and danger of microplastic pollution, it is possible that the extent of the phenomenon has been greatly underestimated. Washing processes of synthetic fabrics have been lately identified as responsible for about 35% of primary microplastic release in oceans and seas, indeed, the number of microfibres released from a typical 2-2.5 kg wash load of synthetic fabrics was estimated to be ranged from 640,000 to 1,500,000 [1]. In such scenario, it is important to identify the causes of the release and to evaluate the role of washing program, detergent, and load. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the amount of microfibres released from polyester textiles during washing process, by varying the type of used detergent. For this aim, washing tests were performed on single T-shirt made of 100% polyester with a household washing machine, employing different liquid detergents. The obtained quantity of microfibres released during the washing of the T-shirt ranges from 401±17 to 437±35 mg per kg of washed fabric, that corresponds to an average number of microfibres released around 4,000,000. The obtained results allow to conclude that the washing of a single T -shirt releases a great amount of microfibres. This can be explained considering that the higher water ratio per washed fabric and the higher mechanical action due to the lower washing load, has a negative impact on the release improving fibres mobility.

16:35 - 16:50

Microalgae as potential bioindicators for heavy metal pollution

Elena Cavalletti - Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

PRESENTATION

Microalgae as potential bioindicators for heavy metal pollution

ABSTRACT

Heavy metals (HMs) are considered persistent pollutants due to their low degradation rate. They can be easily accumulated along the food chain and reach the higher trophic levels, posing a threat for both the environment and human health. Microalgae, being at the base of food webs in marine and fresh waters, are one of the first groups to be affected by HM pollution and can be considered potential HM indicators in aquatic environments. In this frame we propose QPM (quantitative phase microscopy) optical techniques as an innovative approach for rapid detection of HMs stress on microalgae. Furthermore, since some HMs are considered essential elements for cell growth and metabolism, microalgae have designed strategies for their uptake and have been thus considered attractive candidates for bioremediation purposes. In the present work, a strain of Skeletonema pseudocostatum isolated from the mouth of the Sarno river (Gulf of Naples) was exposed to several concentrations of copper to test its tolerance to the HM in 72 hours small-scale experiments. A lethal (25 µM) and a sub-lethal (10 µM) copper concentration were identified and used for 72 hours scale-up experiments. The rate of copper adsorption/compartmentalization was evaluated by ICP-MS analyses of microalgal pellets at the end of each experiment. S. pseudocostatum showed tolerance to copper up to a concentration of 10 µM, with a rate of removal of 14% of copper administered in solution in larger scale experiments. These results seem promising considering future possible applications of this species for HM removal. In addition, preliminary QPM investigations of copper effects on cellular and subcellular morphology seem to suggest that these techniques could aid in elucidating S. pseudocostatum potential as a sensor of HM environmental pollution.

16:50 - 17:05

Identification and Quantification of Microplastic with Fibre Shape

Raffaella Mossotti - CNR-STIIMA

PRESENTATION

Identification and Quantification of Microplastic with Fibre Shape

ABSTRACT

Plastics are synthetic materials obtained into various shapes by using different processes such as extrusion, moulding, spinning and casting. They show highlighted mechanical, chemical and thermal characteristics. They are becoming materials ubiquitous for the different industrial sectors from packaging to paint, tyres and textiles, revolutionizing the containers for products, for packaging and for carrying bags and clothing. However, it is usually non-biodegradable and therefore can remain as waste in the environment for a very long time for weathering and degradation become small particles called microplastics, polluting the marine and other habitats. Microplastics can concentrate persistent organic pollutants via partitioning and they can be ingested by marine biota, thereby entering in the food chain with the potential effect on human health. Synthetic clothing represents a primary source of environmental pollution because of the shedding of microplastics in laundry washing machine and textile processes. In fact, the rapid growth of fiber production has caused significant impacts on people and planet. It increases more than doubled in the last 20 years and is expected to reach 145 million mt in 2030. The synthetic fibers have dominated the fiber market since the mid-1990s and made up approximately 62 percent of the global fiber production in 2018. In particular, polyester for its characteristic and versatility had a market share of around 51.5 percent of total global fiber production. (1) At present, there are no precise standard guidelines to follow for quantification of microplastic released from textiles materials and processes. This research study carried out between Aquafil SpA and CNR STIIMA (Biella Department) is in progress and it is focused on the setting up of the microplastics standard determination with fiber shape in different matrices present in the textile field such as wastewater from clothes washings, water effluents or solids from industrial processes and air. At present, the Draft PrENISO 4484-2 Textiles is currently being evaluated by the ISO and CEN commissions, particularly in its CEN Enquiry stage. Depending on the kinds of water sample, a pre-treatment of the sample to eliminate inorganic and organic contaminants (e.g. biological) that could interfere with their identification can be required. The method involves a preliminary step of observation of the sample under an optical microscope and subsequent identification of micron and submicron microplastics with molecular spectroscopy using two spectroscopy techniques such as Micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy) and Micro-Raman (Raman Spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy) and providing data about the size, the numerical concentration of MPs, etc. The method also provides a procedure for preparing synthetic microfilaments standard suspensions to facilitate lab tests and the monitoring of microplastic in different matrices. Moreover, a robust ecotoxicological methodology based on several biotests useful for studying the effects of this type of pollutants has been reported.

SESSION CHAIRS

Angela Sardo

SZN

e-BADGE

DATE & TIME

6 October, 2021
16:00 - 17:05 CEST

SPONSORS

Technical Session

2021 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea

IEEE MetroSea 2021

Optical Methods and Systems for Water Pollution Detection, Characterization and Monitoring - PART 3

INVITED - Fluorescence Microscopy and Molecular Biology Methods as Tools for Assessing the Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Sea Urchin Development

The effect of the detergent on microfibre release during the washing process of polyester textiles

Microalgae as potential bioindicators for heavy metal pollution

Identification and Quantification of Microplastic with Fibre Shape

SESSION CHAIRS

Angela Sardo

DATE & TIME

SPONSORS