SDG14 - Sustainability

[SDG14] - Banner

[SDG14] - Introduction

Fish waste valorization, Coral healing methodologies, Sea pollution portable measurements, prevention of acidification. 3D organ models for measuring the toxicity of seawater pollutants including nano/microplastics

Under SDG14, we will address various interesting problematics. We will fabricate micro/nanoplastics with top down approaches, to study the biological impact of the exposure to plastics with morphology and surface chemistry similar to the real case scenario. In parallel, in vitro and in vivo systems will be developed, such as 3D organs and the most appropriate animal models to study the potential accumulation and toxicity after exposure to nano/microplastics. Regarding pollution monitoring, new miniaturized devices enabling the on-site analysis will be designed. The proposed solution aims to be a versatile multi-analysis platform capable of being easily adapted to other pollutants and metals. Since the pH of the world’s oceans is decreasing as a result of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, we plan to develop artificial forms of microcapsules as well as yeast-based containers to help in CO2 partial removal and fight acidification. On the top, changes in carbonate chemistry may hamper or prevent coral reef growth. We plan to design and fabricate sustainable and active biomaterials for delivery of antibiotics and anti-protozoans to corals. Finally, the increasing consumption of fish determines big amounts of waste. To reduce such waste, fish skin will be recovered, modified and reintroduced in the market as valuable fashion products.

[SDG14] - Demonstrators title

Demonstrators

[SDG14] - Demonstrators

Detection and effects of micro and nanoplastics on water living organisms

The project focuses on finding the most suitable detection tools for the quantification of plastics in animal tissues.

Preservation of sea flora and fauna

The project focuses on the improvement of the health status of the sea water, fish, corals, and plants.

[SDG14] - Publications

Publications

V Tolardo, D Magrì, F Fumagalli, D Cassano, A Athanassiou, D Fragouli, S Gioria, In Vitro High-Throughput Toxicological Assessment of Nanoplastics, Nanomaterials, (2022), 12, 1947 [doi]

M Contardi, S Montano, P Galli, G Mazzon, A Mah'd Moh'd, D Seveso, F Saliu, D Maggioni, A Athanassiou, IS Bayer, Marine Fouling Characteristics of Biocomposites in a Coral Reef Ecosystem, Advanced Sustainable Systems, (2021), 5, 2100089 [doi]

M Contardi, S Montano, G Liguori, JA Heredia-Guerrero, P Galli, A Athanassiou, IS Bayer, Treatment of Coral Wounds by Combining an Antiseptic Bilayer Film and an Injectable Antioxidant Biopolymer, Scientific Reports, (2020), 10, 988 [doi]

D Magrì, P Sánchez-Moreno, G Caputo, F Gatto, M Veronesi, G Bardi, T Catelani, D Guarnieri, A Athanassiou, PP Pompa, Laser Ablation as a Versatile Tool To Mimic Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic Pollutants: Characterization and Toxicology Assessment, ACS Nano, (2018), 12, 7690-7700 [doi]