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Papers by Ginevra Moltedo

Research paper thumbnail of La biodiversità ittica nel parco dell’Asinara: studio dell’incidenza della pesca artigianale sulle specie commerciali in un triennio di studi

Research paper thumbnail of Densità e abbondanza relativa del tursiope (Tursiops truncatus) nel parco nazionale dell'Asinara, Sardegna

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Caged Mussel Mytilus Galloprovincialis in an Ecotoxicological Approach to Assess Environmental Impact in Off-Shore Activities

Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, are well recognized bioindicator organisms whic... more Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, are well recognized bioindicator organisms which can be easily caged in investigated areas to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities. In this work a monitoring protocol was developed for off-shore installations in the Adriatic sea. Integration of chemical analyses with a wide range of biomarkers analysed in mussels caged at 2 platforms, allowed to evaluate the biological disturbance and confirmed the utility of the ecotoxicological approach for monitoring off-shore activities. Several environmental issues are associated with the off-shore oil and gas industry, from the impact caused during installation to various form of disturbance related to daily ship traffic, extraction activities, maintenance of structures and, finally, decommissioning of old platforms. During the last year a monitoring protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovin-cialis, has been developed, to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological effects caused fr...

Research paper thumbnail of Presence and Distribution of Cetaceans in the Area Adjacent to the Asinara National Park, Sardinia

A dedicated survey on presence and distribution of cetaceans off north-western Sardinia was held ... more A dedicated survey on presence and distribution of cetaceans off north-western Sardinia was held between 1994 and 1996 summer periods. A total of 120 sightings of five cetacean species have been recorded. Fin whale was the most abundant species. Both Striped and Bottlenose dolphins were regularly sighted on the study area. The waters around the Asinara Island National Park showed an interesting cetacean fauna and could be a useful area for study and regulated whale-watching activity.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of a biomarker protocol in the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to assess biological effects of diethylene glycol (DEG) and produced waters of Adriatic offshore platforms

Research paper thumbnail of Interactions between bottlenose dolphins and small scale fisheries in the Asinara Island National Park (north-western Sardinia)

In 1999, the Italian Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (ICRAM), in response to report... more In 1999, the Italian Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (ICRAM), in response to reports made by local fisheries, began a study into the interactions between common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and the artisanal fishery in the Asinara Island National Park (Sardinia). Using onboard observers, fishing boat surveys were carried out to determine the frequency of interactions, variations in the catch of target species and damage to two different types of trammel net caused by dolphins. Interactions occurred primarily with trammel nets targetting striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus; the less valuable peacock wrasse, Simphodus tinca, was also caught). Interactions also occurred with trammel nets set for lobster (Palinurus elephas), cuttlefish (Sepia spp.) and scorpionfish (Scorpaena spp.), but these were considered negligible. The target species, catch and damage inflicted on the catch was recorded, both in the presence and absence of dolphins, in an effort to ascertain associated damage and economic cost. Loss of catch was found to be significant only in the case of nets deployed during the red striped mullet fishing season. Although the level of interaction was high relative to the narrow red striped mullet fishery season, the overall economic impact on the fishing community was found to be modest. The presence and regulations of the national park area may provide an opportunity for investigating mitigation activities compatible with both cetacean conservation and the maintenance of the traditional fisheries.

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring the impact of offshore activities in the Adriatic sea with an ecotoxicological protocol for caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis

Research paper thumbnail of Biological effects of diethylene glycol (DEG) and produced waters (PWs) released from offshore activities: A multi-biomarker approach with the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Environmental Pollution, 2009

A biological risk for marine organisms can be excluded for DEG concentrations as those normally a... more A biological risk for marine organisms can be excluded for DEG concentrations as those normally associated to produced waters discharged in the Adriatic Sea. a b s t r a c t Diethylene glycol (DEG) is largely used during oil and gas exploitation by offshore platforms. The aim of this work was to investigate if this compound induces direct molecular/cellular effects in marine organisms, or indirectly modulate those of produced waters (PWs). Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were exposed to DEG dosed alone or in combination with PWs from an Adriatic platform. A wide array of analysed biomarkers included cytochrome P450-dependent enzymatic activity, bile metabolites, glutathione S-transferases, acetylcholinesterase, peroxisomal proliferation, antioxidant defences (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione), total oxyradical scavenging capacity, malondialdehyde and DNA integrity (single strand breaks and frequency of micronuclei). Results did not reveal marked effects of DEG, while PWs influenced the biotransformation system, the oxidative status and the onset of genotoxic damages. Co-exposures caused only limited differences of biomarker responses at some experimental conditions, overall suggesting a limited biological impact of DEG at levels normally deriving from offshore activities.

Research paper thumbnail of Bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus) density and abundance in the Asinara National Park, Sardinia

Research paper thumbnail of Presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei nelle aree limitrofe al parco nazionale dell’Asinara (sardegna nord-occidentale)

... Nonostante i dati su presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei siano disponibili nell'are... more ... Nonostante i dati su presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei siano disponibili nell'area del Santuario (Zanardelli et al., 1992; Notarbartolo di Sciara et al, 1993; Forcada et al., 1995), poche informazioni si hanno per l'area dell'Asinara (Ferreccio et al., 1992; Lauriano e Notarbartolo ...

Research paper thumbnail of Can Hediste diversicolor (Nereidae, Polychaete) be considered a good candidate in evaluating PAH contamination? A multimarker approach

Chemosphere, 2000

The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses o... more The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses of Hediste diversicolor to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under controlled laboratory conditions. In order to test the effects of PAH exposure, a battery of biomarkers was applied to the polychaetes by exposing them to sublethal concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (0.1 and 0.5mgL−1) for 10d under laboratory

Research paper thumbnail of An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, for monitoring the impact of an offshore platform in the Adriatic sea

Marine Environmental Research, 2008

An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was developed to eval... more An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was developed to evaluate the potential impact of an offshore gas platform in the central Adriatic Sea. Reference organisms were collected on a seasonal basis from an unpolluted site and transplanted for four weeks in both the sampling area and to the investigated platform. Chemical analyses of trace metals in mussel tissues were integrated with a multi-biomarker approach for the early detection of biological responses at several cellular targets. Induction of metallothioneins, peroxisomal proliferation and activity of acetylcholinesterase were measured as markers for specific classes of chemicals. Special attention was given to oxyradical metabolism and appearance of oxidative-mediated toxicity to reveal a more general onset of cellular disturbance. In addition to individual antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferases, glutathione reductase, Sedependent and Se-independent glutathione peroxidases, and levels of total glutathione), the total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) allowed a quantification of the overall capability to neutralize specific forms of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS; i.e. peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals). Cellular damages were evaluated as lysosomal destabilization (membrane stability, accumulation of lipofuscin and neutral lipids), lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) and DNA integrity (strand breaks and micronuclei); the air survival test was finally applied to evaluate the overall physiological condition of mussels. Concentration of trace metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) revealed only limited variations in transplanted mussels during various experimental periods and such changes appeared partly related to natural fluctuations. Among biological responses, variations of antioxidants and lysosomal stability were confirmed as sensitive early warning signals for biological disturbance of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The presented protocol with caged mussels allowed marked biological effects caused by the investigated platform to be excluded, and represented a useful approach that is easy to extend for monitoring the impact of offshore activities in the Adriatic sea.

Research paper thumbnail of Metal Content and Toxicity of Produced Formation Water (PFW): Study of the Possible Effects of the Discharge on Marine Environment

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2007

A preliminary chemical and ecotoxicological assessment was performed on the produced formation wa... more A preliminary chemical and ecotoxicological assessment was performed on the produced formation water (PFW) and superficial sediment around a gas platform (Fratello Cluster), located in the Adriatic Sea (Italy), in order to evaluate the effects of PFW discharged from the installation. The ecotoxicological bioassays, with the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, were associated with chemical data to estimate the possible effects on living organisms. PFW collected on the platform was toxic, but no significant effect was recorded on marine sediment. Only the sediment station nearest to the discharge point showed higher values of some contaminants (zinc and arsenic) in comparison to other sites and only some stations showed low toxicity.

Research paper thumbnail of La biodiversità ittica nel parco dell’Asinara: studio dell’incidenza della pesca artigianale sulle specie commerciali in un triennio di studi

Research paper thumbnail of Densità e abbondanza relativa del tursiope (Tursiops truncatus) nel parco nazionale dell'Asinara, Sardegna

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Caged Mussel Mytilus Galloprovincialis in an Ecotoxicological Approach to Assess Environmental Impact in Off-Shore Activities

Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, are well recognized bioindicator organisms whic... more Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, are well recognized bioindicator organisms which can be easily caged in investigated areas to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities. In this work a monitoring protocol was developed for off-shore installations in the Adriatic sea. Integration of chemical analyses with a wide range of biomarkers analysed in mussels caged at 2 platforms, allowed to evaluate the biological disturbance and confirmed the utility of the ecotoxicological approach for monitoring off-shore activities. Several environmental issues are associated with the off-shore oil and gas industry, from the impact caused during installation to various form of disturbance related to daily ship traffic, extraction activities, maintenance of structures and, finally, decommissioning of old platforms. During the last year a monitoring protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovin-cialis, has been developed, to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological effects caused fr...

Research paper thumbnail of Presence and Distribution of Cetaceans in the Area Adjacent to the Asinara National Park, Sardinia

A dedicated survey on presence and distribution of cetaceans off north-western Sardinia was held ... more A dedicated survey on presence and distribution of cetaceans off north-western Sardinia was held between 1994 and 1996 summer periods. A total of 120 sightings of five cetacean species have been recorded. Fin whale was the most abundant species. Both Striped and Bottlenose dolphins were regularly sighted on the study area. The waters around the Asinara Island National Park showed an interesting cetacean fauna and could be a useful area for study and regulated whale-watching activity.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of a biomarker protocol in the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to assess biological effects of diethylene glycol (DEG) and produced waters of Adriatic offshore platforms

Research paper thumbnail of Interactions between bottlenose dolphins and small scale fisheries in the Asinara Island National Park (north-western Sardinia)

In 1999, the Italian Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (ICRAM), in response to report... more In 1999, the Italian Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (ICRAM), in response to reports made by local fisheries, began a study into the interactions between common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and the artisanal fishery in the Asinara Island National Park (Sardinia). Using onboard observers, fishing boat surveys were carried out to determine the frequency of interactions, variations in the catch of target species and damage to two different types of trammel net caused by dolphins. Interactions occurred primarily with trammel nets targetting striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus; the less valuable peacock wrasse, Simphodus tinca, was also caught). Interactions also occurred with trammel nets set for lobster (Palinurus elephas), cuttlefish (Sepia spp.) and scorpionfish (Scorpaena spp.), but these were considered negligible. The target species, catch and damage inflicted on the catch was recorded, both in the presence and absence of dolphins, in an effort to ascertain associated damage and economic cost. Loss of catch was found to be significant only in the case of nets deployed during the red striped mullet fishing season. Although the level of interaction was high relative to the narrow red striped mullet fishery season, the overall economic impact on the fishing community was found to be modest. The presence and regulations of the national park area may provide an opportunity for investigating mitigation activities compatible with both cetacean conservation and the maintenance of the traditional fisheries.

Research paper thumbnail of Monitoring the impact of offshore activities in the Adriatic sea with an ecotoxicological protocol for caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis

Research paper thumbnail of Biological effects of diethylene glycol (DEG) and produced waters (PWs) released from offshore activities: A multi-biomarker approach with the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Environmental Pollution, 2009

A biological risk for marine organisms can be excluded for DEG concentrations as those normally a... more A biological risk for marine organisms can be excluded for DEG concentrations as those normally associated to produced waters discharged in the Adriatic Sea. a b s t r a c t Diethylene glycol (DEG) is largely used during oil and gas exploitation by offshore platforms. The aim of this work was to investigate if this compound induces direct molecular/cellular effects in marine organisms, or indirectly modulate those of produced waters (PWs). Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were exposed to DEG dosed alone or in combination with PWs from an Adriatic platform. A wide array of analysed biomarkers included cytochrome P450-dependent enzymatic activity, bile metabolites, glutathione S-transferases, acetylcholinesterase, peroxisomal proliferation, antioxidant defences (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione), total oxyradical scavenging capacity, malondialdehyde and DNA integrity (single strand breaks and frequency of micronuclei). Results did not reveal marked effects of DEG, while PWs influenced the biotransformation system, the oxidative status and the onset of genotoxic damages. Co-exposures caused only limited differences of biomarker responses at some experimental conditions, overall suggesting a limited biological impact of DEG at levels normally deriving from offshore activities.

Research paper thumbnail of Bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus) density and abundance in the Asinara National Park, Sardinia

Research paper thumbnail of Presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei nelle aree limitrofe al parco nazionale dell’Asinara (sardegna nord-occidentale)

... Nonostante i dati su presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei siano disponibili nell'are... more ... Nonostante i dati su presenza e distribuzione dei cetacei siano disponibili nell'area del Santuario (Zanardelli et al., 1992; Notarbartolo di Sciara et al, 1993; Forcada et al., 1995), poche informazioni si hanno per l'area dell'Asinara (Ferreccio et al., 1992; Lauriano e Notarbartolo ...

Research paper thumbnail of Can Hediste diversicolor (Nereidae, Polychaete) be considered a good candidate in evaluating PAH contamination? A multimarker approach

Chemosphere, 2000

The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses o... more The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses of Hediste diversicolor to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under controlled laboratory conditions. In order to test the effects of PAH exposure, a battery of biomarkers was applied to the polychaetes by exposing them to sublethal concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (0.1 and 0.5mgL−1) for 10d under laboratory

Research paper thumbnail of An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, for monitoring the impact of an offshore platform in the Adriatic sea

Marine Environmental Research, 2008

An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was developed to eval... more An ecotoxicological protocol with caged mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, was developed to evaluate the potential impact of an offshore gas platform in the central Adriatic Sea. Reference organisms were collected on a seasonal basis from an unpolluted site and transplanted for four weeks in both the sampling area and to the investigated platform. Chemical analyses of trace metals in mussel tissues were integrated with a multi-biomarker approach for the early detection of biological responses at several cellular targets. Induction of metallothioneins, peroxisomal proliferation and activity of acetylcholinesterase were measured as markers for specific classes of chemicals. Special attention was given to oxyradical metabolism and appearance of oxidative-mediated toxicity to reveal a more general onset of cellular disturbance. In addition to individual antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferases, glutathione reductase, Sedependent and Se-independent glutathione peroxidases, and levels of total glutathione), the total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) allowed a quantification of the overall capability to neutralize specific forms of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS; i.e. peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals). Cellular damages were evaluated as lysosomal destabilization (membrane stability, accumulation of lipofuscin and neutral lipids), lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) and DNA integrity (strand breaks and micronuclei); the air survival test was finally applied to evaluate the overall physiological condition of mussels. Concentration of trace metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) revealed only limited variations in transplanted mussels during various experimental periods and such changes appeared partly related to natural fluctuations. Among biological responses, variations of antioxidants and lysosomal stability were confirmed as sensitive early warning signals for biological disturbance of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The presented protocol with caged mussels allowed marked biological effects caused by the investigated platform to be excluded, and represented a useful approach that is easy to extend for monitoring the impact of offshore activities in the Adriatic sea.

Research paper thumbnail of Metal Content and Toxicity of Produced Formation Water (PFW): Study of the Possible Effects of the Discharge on Marine Environment

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2007

A preliminary chemical and ecotoxicological assessment was performed on the produced formation wa... more A preliminary chemical and ecotoxicological assessment was performed on the produced formation water (PFW) and superficial sediment around a gas platform (Fratello Cluster), located in the Adriatic Sea (Italy), in order to evaluate the effects of PFW discharged from the installation. The ecotoxicological bioassays, with the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, were associated with chemical data to estimate the possible effects on living organisms. PFW collected on the platform was toxic, but no significant effect was recorded on marine sediment. Only the sediment station nearest to the discharge point showed higher values of some contaminants (zinc and arsenic) in comparison to other sites and only some stations showed low toxicity.