title: [Assessment of seawater quality along the Asinara Gulf. Note 1: preliminary results of seawater monitoring using Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata as bioindicators].
abstract: In recent years, physical-chemical, chemical and microbiological testing systems to water's control was matched by the use of "biomarkers" such as algae, nematodes, Anellidi, Porifera, molluscs and arthropods (crustaceans), although these are phylogenetically distant from humans and they differ in methods of recruitment, toxico-kinetics and metabolism of xenobiotics. That is why today the predatory fishes (tuna, mackerel, sea bream, sea bass and swordfish) are among the most widely used in biomonitoring studies. In particular Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax (sea bream and sea bass) are appropriate in warning of environmental pollution. Moreover since the two species are precious and particularly present in food, they could represent a potential vehicle for the transport of contaminants to humans. To this end, the aim of this note, part of a complex research project launched in line with the provisions of the ministry for the environment, land and sea, is to evaluate the quality of coastal waters by using of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. The results obtained show that the area concerned, at present, is not affected by serious pollution processes, as the human pressure is highlighted by the presence of phenols in sea water and heavy metals (Cd and Hg) in the bioindicators. The detection of these toxic elements in fish species, could also not be directly attributable to any condition of impairment of the environment. However given the accumulation of these contaminants in the parts are edible, the consumption of fish could be a source of exposure particularly for those most exposed to health risks (children, elderly, sick and pregnant women).
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi di Sassari.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maida
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castiglia
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ciappeddu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Deriu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dettori
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muresu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D021541:Sea Bream; D012623:Seawater; D014876:Water Pollution