Mercury in sediments and Nassarius reticulatus (Gastropoda Prosobranchia) in the southern Venice Lagoon

Bioaccumulation and histopathological changes of the digestive gland of the land snailEobania vermiculata(Mollusca: Gastropoda), as biomarkers of terrestrial heavy metal pollution in Taif city

“…The extent of this widespread but diffused contamination has raised concern about its hazards for plants, animals and man (Gbaruko & Friday 2007). The stability of heavy metals in sediments and their scarcity in natural environments make heavy metal concentrations in inorganic and organic elements of the ecosystem the most appropriate indicators of overall levels of pollution (Berto et al 2006). In addition, heavy metals biomagnified through the food chain may threaten organisms at higher trophic levels, such as humans and birds (Saha et al 2006).…”

Biomarker responses in the crab Carcinus aestuarii to assess environmental pollution in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy)

“…Sediments from the southern sites showed an average lower Hg concentration (1.3 mg/kg) (Berto et al 2006) with respect to the central lagoon (average 3.4 mg/kg) (Bellucci et al 2002;Bloom et al 2004) and a sudden drop in total aqueous Hg concentration was observed on the southern side of Canale dei Petroli, the major deep-water shipping channel which bisects the Lagoon (Bloom et al 2004).…”

“…Severe impact has also been reported with regard to heavy metals, such as Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu with a concentration gradient decreasing from the inner border of the Lagoon to the sea inlets, and the Porto Marghera industrial zone as the main source of contamination (Bellucci et al 2002;Bernardello et al 2006;Berto et al 2006;Bloom et al 2004). Sediments from the southern sites showed an average lower Hg concentration (1.3 mg/kg) (Berto et al 2006) with respect to the central lagoon (average 3.4 mg/kg) (Bellucci et al 2002;Bloom et al 2004) and a sudden drop in total aqueous Hg concentration was observed on the southern side of Canale dei Petroli, the major deep-water shipping channel which bisects the Lagoon (Bloom et al 2004).…”

“…On the contrary, the Porto Marghera area and the city of Venice have often been recognised as the main sources of contamination and appear to be more negatively influenced in comparison with the southern area (Bellucci et al 2002;Bernardello et al 2006;Berto et al 2006;Bloom et al 2004). …”

Harmful Elements in Estuarine and Coastal Systems

“…Nesto et al (2007) evaluate levels and effects of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn), PAHs and PCBs in mussels and fish native of the Lagoon of Venice. Berto et al (2006) analyzed the levels of mercury in both sediments and Gastropoda Nassarius reticulates in the southern Venice Lagoon and stated that a main cause for mercury pollution might be attributed to the antifouling paints used in great quantity in the recent past near the town of Chioggia. Berto et al (2007) analyzed the recent contamination of TBT and found high content of organotin compounds in the gastropods sampled near the dockyards, harbors, and marinas.…”