Marco Battuello

• PhD
• University of Turin

Plankton plays a very crucial role in bioaccumulation and transfer of metals in the marine food web and represents a suitable bioindicator of the occurrence of trace and rare earth elements in the ecosystem. Trace elements and REEs were analyzed by ICP-MS in phytoplankton samples from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Metal concentrations in phyt...

Organic contaminants such as diesters of phthalic acid (PAEs) can be conveyed by microplastics in aquatic environment and constitute a relevant risk to marine organisms and humans that consume them. A method was developed for the identification and quantitative detection of 6 dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate...

Among non-native copepods, the calanoid Pseudodiaptomus marinus Sato, 1913 is the species probably spreading at the fastest pace in European and neighbouring waters since its first record in the Adriatic Sea in 2007. In this contribution, we provide an update on the distribution of P. marinus in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, along the Atlantic...

Our aim was to develop a GC MS/MS method to quantify quantification of phthalates associated to microplastics isolated from zooplankton, bivalve, and fish from Mediterranean Sea (Italy). The method allowed simultaneously extraction, identification and quantitative determination of 6 Di-esters of Phthalic Acid (PAEs): dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dieth...

Microplastics are contaminants of great concern all over the world. Microplastics constitute pollutants themselves; moreover, other contaminants such as metals are easily absorbed on their plastic surface, becoming bioavailable to marine biota such as zooplankton. We collected marine zooplankton from Mediterranean Sea to investigate trace elements...

The Mediterranean Sea is subjected to a high anthropic pressure, which determines direct or indirect discharges of persistent organic pollutants deriving from intensive industrial activities. These compounds could easily enter and contaminate the whole marine compartment, with possible transfers (and contamination) among water, sediment and biota....

The zoeal development of the brachyuran crab, Palicus caronii, comprises two zoeal stages and the morphology is described and illustrated in detail. The zoeae were collected in plankton samples from the Southern Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Although the morphology of the larval stages of this species was unknown, a combination of character...

A diffusion model for the competition of three zooplankton populations is developed, that is based on earlier ideas on reduced phytoplankton abundance at large depths in the ocean, due to light absorption in the higher water layers and shading by other upper residing microorganisms. Equilibria of the diffusion-free system are analysed. A sensitivit...

Abstract - A diffusion model for the competition of three zooplankton populations is developed, that is based on earlier ideas on reduced phytoplankton abundance at large depths in the ocean, due to light absorption in the higher water layers and shading by other upper residing microorganisms. Equilibria of the diffusion-free system are analysed. A...

Up until now the identification of Crustacean Decapods larval stages was based on specimen’s morphology; nevertheless, the incompleteness or the lack of morphological descriptions prevent the correct identification of planktonic larvae. Today the molecular methodology of DNA barcoding provides a tool to overcome the hurdle. This research represents...

Rare earth elements (REEs) are central in several critical technologies; their use is constantly increasing as is their release into the environment. For this reason, it is important to investigate REE concentrations in different matrices to evaluate human exposure and environmental risk of these emerging contaminants. REEs were measured by ICP-MS...

The concentrations of trace elements and rare earths elements (REE) were determined in 16 dominant macroalga species belonging to Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta phylum, collected in the Ligurian Sea (Italy).

The occurrence of trace elements, REE and iAs was investigated in macroalgae collected from Giglio Island (Grosseto, Italy), 3 years after the Costa Concordia shipwreck recovery operations. There was a high variability of metals and REE between species, even those belonging to the same phylum. Arsenic level was found within the range of the Tuscany...

Seaweeds have been used as animal feed since a long time and are consumed as food in several cultures. In fact, macroalgae are a source of protein, fiber, polyunsaturated fat, and minerals. The concentration of trace elements was determined in dominant macroalga species from three sites of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. A high interspecies var...

We analyzed the concentrations of 20 trace elements in Eurydice spinigera (Isopoda) and Flaccisagitta enflata (Chaetognatha), which represent a hyperbenthic and a zooplanktonic marine species respectively, sharing the same predaceous feeding strategy, from a highly productive coastal region (Ligurian Sea, Northwestern Mediterranean). The same eleme...

Three seaweeds species belonging to Chlorophyta (green algae, Codium bursa), Ochrophyta (brown algae, Dictyota dichotoma) and Rodophyta (red algae, Laurencia obtusa) were collected in Elba Island (LI), NW Mediterranean Sea, the most populated island of the Tuscan archipelago. Seaweeds were subjected to trace element determination using an ICP-MS, a...

The concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) were determined by ICP-MS in dominant seaweed species, collected from three locations of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. This is the first study to define levels and patterns of REE in macro algae from these coastal areas. Rare elements are becoming emerging inorganic contaminants in marine ecosys...

Copepods are the most numerous taxonomic group in marine mesozooplankton communities. These planktonic organisms have an essential role in the function of marine trophic webs, as they are the link between phytoplankton and secondary consumers. The concentrations of 20 essential and non-essential trace elements were investigated by Inductively Coupl...

Krill are small crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea, found in all the world’s oceans. Krill has high protein content and omega-3 fatty acids, and constitutes a rich source of natural pigments, vitamins and other components highly valued in animal/fish feed. Although there are more than 80 different krill species around the globe, dried krill meal...

Copepods assemblages in the waters surrounding the “Costa Concordia” wreck (Giglio Island, Italy) were investigated in two periods one year far from each other, to assess possible contamination events and environmental impact.