EFFETTI ECOTOSSICOLOGICI DEGLI PNEUMATICI SULLA RETE TROFICA PLANCTONICA DEL MEDITERRANEO

TYRE WEAR PARTICLES THREATEN THE MEDITERRANEAN PLANKTONIC FOOD WEB

Abstract

Tyre wear particles (TWP) pose a threat to marine ecosystems due to the leaching of harmful chemical mixtures that may affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This study assessed the impact of TWP leachates on Mediterranean species through chemical analysis and ecotoxicological bioassays . Two phytoplankton species (Isochrysis galbana, Chrysotila elongata), the larval stage of the crustacean Amphibalanus amphitrite and the embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were exposed to different concentrations of TWP leachates. Algal growth inhibition, naupliar immobility and behaviour, and larval developmental anomalies were assessed after 48-72 hours. TWP leachates significantly affected I.galbana growth, A. amphitrite behaviour, and P. lividus development. Such toxicity was likely due to additives released from TWP leachates. These findings highlight the harmful impact of TWP-associated pollutants on the planktonic food web in coastal areas, emphasising the urgent need to reduce TWP emissions and regulate hazardous additives to protect marine biodiversity.