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In this historical context, the Mediterranean Sea faces an increasing threat from emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, pesticides and microplastics, which pose a serious risk to the environment and human health. In this regard, aquatic invertebrates and fish are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these pollutants, and several species have been identified as bio-indicators for their detection. Among these, bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are now widely used as bio-indicators to accurately assess the effects of contaminants. The study focuses on the catshark Scyliorhinus canicular and on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The first one is a useful indicator of localised contamination levels due to its exposure to pollutants that accumulate on the seabed. Moreover, it has a high trophic position and plays an important role in the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem. The bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis, on the other hand, being a filter-feeding organism, can acquire and bioaccumulate foreign particles present in its environment. Additionally, because it is also a species of commercial interest, it has a direct impact on human health. In conclusion, the increasing presence of emerging pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Bivalve molluscs and elasmobranchs are two examples of bio-indicators that must be used to precisely determine the effects of these pollutants on the marine ecosystem and human health. Full article

The article analyzes the chemical composition (ions, elements, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) of the atmospheric aerosol in the near-water layer of the atmosphere above Lake Baikal during wildfires in Siberia. Aerosol deposition affects the aquatic environment of the watershed basin and the lake itself. The current law on Lake Baikal limits the activity of the permanent stationary anthropogenic sources of the aerosol in the central ecological zone, and they do not have a significant negative impact. Wildfires can have a much greater impact on the environment. Smoke emissions entering the area of Lake Baikal due to wildfires change the chemical properties of the atmospheric aerosol and increase its mass and number concentration. The concentrations of NH₄⁺, K⁺, NO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻, which enter with submicron aerosol fraction, increase in the ionic composition of the aerosol. The composition of polyaromatic compounds changes, and their concentrations increase. Elevated concentrations of B, Mn, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, and Pb in the composition of aerosol indicate the influx of air masses from the areas prone to wildfires. Despite the sporadic effects of these natural factors, they affect the pollution of various Baikal ecosystems, especially small tributaries of the lake, whose main supply is atmospheric. Full article