Biomonitoring of potentially toxic elements at two differentially anthropized areas of the “Land of Fires” (S Italy)

In this study, contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was investigated in two areas of southern Italy with different levels of human impact, both near the “Land of Fires,” known for illegal waste burning. The moss Scorpiurum circinatum was used for biomonitoring by placing moss bags at six sites: an un-urbanized estate in the forest of Palazzo Reale Carditello (CF) and an industrially polluted area on the outskirts of Giugliano in Campania (GC). Mount Faito (MF) served as a control site, free from pollution sources. Moss bags were exposed for 21, 42, and 63 days, and samples were analyzed for PTEs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sb), ultrastructural damage, oxidative stress, and antioxidant response. At the control site, bioaccumulation and oxidative stress were negligible, and moss ultrastructure remained unchanged. However, moss exposed near the “Land of Fires” accumulated significant PTEs. After just 21 days, As, Cu, and Hg levels reached 2.2 mg/kg, 17 mg/kg, and 0.06 mg/kg respectively, triggering oxidative stress, an antioxidant response, and noticeable ultrastructural damage. Interestingly, Scorpiurum circinatum exhibited similar negative biological effects at both contaminated sites, despite their differing environmental conditions. This suggests that toxic fumes from illegal waste incineration are spreading beyond anthropized areas. The findings confirm the moss's effectiveness as a bioindicator and highlight the severe health risks posed by PTEs exposure, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to mitigate this environmental and public health crisis.