The coralligenous biocoenosis represents an essential ecosystem, susceptible to the effects of anthropogenic and environmental disturbances is at risk of disappearing unless we intensify our efforts to protect them.
In this context, the SIMBIOSI project aimed to develop sensitive and effective analytical tools to determine the presence of emerging contaminants and their potential deleterious effects on the Mediterranean coralligenous biocoenosis, using the solitary, zooxanthellate coral Balanophyllia europaea as biological model.
The project involved the analysis of the presence of new emerging contaminants not covered by current regulations, in the water column and in madrepore specimens. The contaminants considered are titanium-based nanomaterials released from sunscreens (nano-TiO2), rare earth elements and micro and nanoplastics.
A total of fifteen organisms were collected in July and in August at a depth of 5 metres off the coast of Calafuria (Leghorn, Italy). Simultaneously, chemical and physical parameters of the water were acquired using a multiparametric probe. Titanium dioxide, including n-TiO2 was analyzed using ICP-MS coupled with SEM microscopy to evaluate their size and shape. For plastics, the monomer content of PCV (vinyl chloride) and PS (styrene) was analyzed using VOC GC/MS. The analysis of rare earth elements was carried out using ICP-MS.
Results showed very low levels of rare earth elements and trace metals in corals and the absence of PVC and PS and TiO2. The analysis of water parameters showed a slight fluctuation of temperature and pH over time.
Our results highlighted the possibility to use B. europaea to evaluate the condition of the coralligenous biocenosis in relation to environmental contamination.
Acknowledgements
The study was financed by European Union- Next Generation EU, Mission 4 - Component 2 - Measure 1.4 “Strengthening Research Structures and Creation of "National R&D Champions” on some Key Enabling Technologies”. We thank the Diving La Torre di Calafuria for operational support.
