The MIRACLE Project: an integrated approach to understanding biogeochemical cycling of mercury and its relationship with lagoon clam farming

The “MIRACLE” Project was aimed at two specific issues: understanding Hg biogeochemical cycling in the Marano and Grado Lagoon and testing the coexistence of clam farming with Hg contamination in the sediments. Mercury contamination was measured in several matrices (water, sediment, biota) and its mobility was tested along with its speciation in relation to biogeochemical processes occurring in the lagoon environment, where bacterial communities have a primary role in converting Hg to its more toxic form, methylmercury (MeHg). Bioaccumulation of the Hg species was investigated on natural and seeded clams (Ruditapes philippinarum), the most important commercial bivalves in the Lagoon. The Editorial summarizes the main results obtained from this multidisciplinary study and reported in the Special Issue.