Anthropogenic impacts on the Orbetello lagoon ecosystem

• Published in: Toxicology and Industrial Health
• Main Authors: FOCARDI SILVIA, M. MARIOTTINI, RENZI M, G. PERRA, SILVANO FOCARDI
• Other Authors: Focardi, Silvia, M., Mariottini, Renzi, M, G., Perra, Silvano, Focardi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: biomonitoring; European eel; POP; remote sensing; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11368/2959784; https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233709106465

The aim of the present study was to assess the environmental quality of Orbetello lagoon (Tyrrhenian coast, Italy), using a biomonitoring method based on measuring organochlorinated pollutants in the Anguilla anguilla, chosen as sentinel organism, and remote sensing data obtained by elaboration of Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) data of 2002. Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in muscle of European eels captured in seven sites having different levels of pollution in Orbetello lagoon. Remote sensing data and chemical analysis showed the Albegna river as a probable vehicle of pesticides (hexachlorocyclohexanes).