Effect based methods for monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems: applications and future perspectives

The thesis is about the application of Effect Based Methods (EBM) for the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems. This research approach has been developed in the last years and has the aim to contribute to identify potential chemical risks for aquatic ecosystems and indirectly for human health. The identification of these risks is a key aspect for the application of prevention and policy measures needed to protect environment and human health. The Effect Based Methods (Bioassays in vivo and in vitro, biomarkers) have been recommended in the context of the Common Implementation Strategy of the European Water Framework Directive that is an ambitious European legislative act with the key aim to achieve a good status for all water bodies in Europe. EBM are tools used for the monitoring of waterbodies and other environmental compartments with the aim to detect effect caused by pollutants or group of pollutants, these effects can be detected at molecular, cellular, individual or populational level. During the 3 years of the project an extensive evaluation of these methods in Europe has been carried out and the potentiality to be implemented in the European and national legislation has been highlighted. Furthermore the possibility to prevent indirect effects on human health has also been considered. A specific case study has been dedicated to the FET test (Fish embryo toxicity test) that is a bioassay widely applied in this field. Bioassays have been applied experimentally in the Tiber river basin, mainly in the urban part, to identify the presence of potential effects caused by mixtures of chemical pollutants and/or emerging substances. These methods have been applied also to investigate the causes of a specific event that happened in 2020 and that has caused a massive fish kills in Tiber river. In conclusion, based on the research carried out, these methods could be considered mature enough to be included in the legislative framework for the protection of water resources.