Phytoplankton size-distribution and community structure in relation to mucilage occurrence in the northern Adriatic Sea

The spatial and temporal variations of pico-, nano- and microphytoplankton abundance and composition were investigated over a 37 month period, focusing on the ecological role of different size classes of phytoplankton, and on the changes of the community structure that might occur during periods when large mucilage macroaggregates appear. Samples were collected monthly from June 1999 to July 2002 at 11 stations, along three transects covering the northern Adriatic basin. Highest abundances were observed in late-winter/spring for microphytoplankton (mainly diatoms), in spring-summer for nanophytoplankton, and in summer for picophytoplankton. The autotrophic component was more abundant in the summers of 2000 and 2002 (when large mucilage aggregates occurred) than in the summers of 1999 and 2001 (when a massive phenomenon was not observed). This increase was statistically significant for pico-, nano- and, among microphytoplankton, only for dinoflagellates. Blooms of picophytoplankton were often observed at the bottom layer during mucilage summers. The microphytoplankton community during mucilage phenomena was characterized by a species composition (Chaetoceros spp., Cerataulina pelagica, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, P. pseudodelicatissima, Cylindrotheca closterium, Dactyliosolen fragilissimus) comparable to that observed in summers without extensive mucilage occurrence. However, some species appeared with significantly higher densities in the summers of 2000 and 2002: Ceratium furca, C. closterium, Oxytoxum spp., Hemiaulus hauckii and Gonyaulax fragilis. Microscopic observation of aggregates revealed that the microphytoplankton species composition inside the aggregates was comparable to that observed in the water column, with an enrichment of opportunistic species such as C. closterium and P. delicatissima. The presence of mucilage aggregates affects the phytoplankton populations in the water column, even when aggregates are at early stages. It seems that there is a mutual relationship between phytoplankton and aggregates, i.e., several diatom and dinoflagellate species may contribute to the aggregate formation and enlargement, but mucilage aggregates themselves may also affect the phytoplankton populations, allowing the development of a rich diatom community and in general enhancing nanophytoplankton growth.     

Circulation and horizontal fluxes in the northern Adriatic Sea in the period June 1999-July 2002. Part I: geostrophic circulation and current measurement

The dramatic increase in the occurrence of massive mucilage events in the northern Adriatic (NA) since their recent conspicuous reappearance in the late 1980s prompted a study of circulation and horizontal fluxes. Three transects with equidistant stations (10 km) were thus monitored monthly between June 1999 and July 2002. The geostrophic method was used to compute currents across the three transects from the CTD data, and dynamic heights provided a picture of the horizontal surface circulation. Currentmeter data records were used to adjust the reference surface and to validate the results for the southernmost and deeper (up to 70 m) transect (Senigallia-Susak Island). Geostrophic currents allowed estimation of monthly water fluxes across the transect. Different circulation regimes in the NA were observed, which may have affected mucilage events. When mucilage was absent (1999) or reduced (2001) in the western sector, the Western Adriatic Current (WAC, carrying water out of the NA) was found to be active, whilst the WAC was very weak or reversed when massive mucilage events occurred (2000 and 2002). Opposite behaviour has been observed for the Istrian Coastal Counter-Current (ICCC, retaining freshwater water in the NA) which was more intense during or after massive mucilage events and did not appear when mucilage was absent. Both WAC weakening and ICCC strengthening indicate a longer residence time of riverine waters in the NA, which favours mucilage development. Conclusively, WAC and ICCC result as key elements in controlling massive mucilage phenomena in the NA.     

Temporal dynamics of dissolved and particulate organic carbon in the northern Adriatic Sea in relation to the mucilage events

The accumulation of dissolved and particulate organic matter may play an important role in mucilage formation in the northern Adriatic. Distributions of dissolved and particulate organic carbon were therefore investigated during the period June 1999-July 2002, when massive mucilage events occurred: in the summer of 2000 and, to a greater extent, of 2002. The seasonal variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were significant, doubling in summer (up to 150 micromol L(-1)) with respect to winter. The particulate organic carbon (POC) variations were also very large, with a less pronounced seasonal pattern compared to DOC, because the POC changes are much more dependent both on river discharges and on phytoplankton blooms. The comparison of the concentrations between the period before (March-May) and after the onset of mucilage events (June-August) showed that DOC, but particularly POC, were higher in the period before the event of 2002, more markedly in the surface waters of low salinity. The POC increased, reaching mean concentrations of up to 36 micromol L(-1) in March 2002 before the outbreak of the massive mucilage formation in June. This suggests that POC may have a more important role in the mucilage formation than DOC. The highest seasonal variations of organic matter concentrations took place in the upper layer of lower salinity, stressing the importance of stratification and pycnoclines for accumulation and aggregation of the organic matter in the northern Adriatic. The POC contribution to the total organic carbon was low in the oligotrophic waters (DOC/POC ratio >15) and increased with the phytoplankton biomass in the productive waters (DOC/POC ratio <10). Particulate organic carbon predominated over the dissolved inside the mucilage aggregate (DOC/POC ratio <1), probably because aggregation processes, in which colloidal organic carbon is involved, are important. The organic carbon within the aggregates reached a concentration of 13.6 mmol L(-1) which was about 100 times more than in the surrounding waters or in the waters when the mucilages were absent. This indicates that distributions of organic carbon in the northern Adriatic can be extremely patchy during mucilage events.     

Changes in nutrient concentrations and ratios during mucilage events in the period 1999-2002

Nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations and salinity were measured, approximately monthly, from June 1999 to July 2002 at 20 stations along three transects in the northern Adriatic Sea, north of the line Susak Island-Senigallia, with the aim of confirming or rejecting the hypothesis that changes in nutrient ratios may have an important role in the mucilage phenomenon. The data analyses were focused on the two major water types identified in the region: lower salinity (32-37) and oxygenated surface waters (type 1) in which the mucilage phenomenon primarily developed, and high salinity water originating from other parts of the Adriatic (type 4). Marked variability of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in type 1 waters was roughly correlated with extreme fluctuations of the Po River flow rate during the investigated period. In contrast, the orthophosphate (PO4) concentration was primarily controlled by phytoplankton assimilation. The nutrient discharges and DIN/PO4 ratios (median 120) in the freshened surface layer were much higher and more variable in the period before the mucilage event in 2001 than in 2000 (median 75), and particularly in 2002 (median 30), although intensity and duration of the 2001 event were the lowest. However, in that period of 2000 and 2002 significant transversal transport of freshened waters occurred, despite the unusually low Po flow rates. In summer, in conditions of low freshwater discharge and the prevailing of semi-enclosed circulation in the region, more efficient DIN assimilation by phytoplankton occurred, probably due to a faster recycling of PO4. However, in 2002 this process appeared to have already started in March. Changes of the orthosilicate (SiO4)/DIN ratio were mainly dependent on DIN concentrations. In the more saline waters (type 4) the nutrient concentrations, particularly DIN, were much lower and no significant relationships were noticed among the studied parameters. Nutrient concentration and ratio changes do not trigger mucilage events, although very probably they have an essential role in combination with several other physical (pulsing freshwater discharge, marked stratification, minimal water exchange) and biological (e.g., increased plankton excretion, limited bacterial degradation) factors.     

Do mucous aggregates affect macro-zoobenthic community and mussel culture? A study in a coastal area of the Northwestern Adriatic Sea

In June 2000 and July 2002, two mucous aggregation events of large proportion occurred in the Adriatic Sea. In order to assess the possible effects that the events had on the macrofauna, we studied macro-zoobenthic assemblages and mussel culture (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Structural parameters of macro-zoobenthos and growth parameters of mussels were recorded. The study area was a mussel farm located 5 nautical miles off Porto Caleri (Rovigo, Italy) in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Between May 2000 and August 2002, two sites were sampled in this area and univariate and multivariate techniques were used to describe the macrobenthic community. Two-way ANOVA showed that mean values of species number, density (individuals m(-2)) and Shannon-Wiener's diversity were significantly influenced (p<0.01) by site and period of sampling and by the interactions of these factors. The Pielou's J averages were significantly influenced only by period (p<0.01). Application of Tuckey's HSD test (p<0.05) to factors detected to be significant by ANOVA did not show significant differences between samples collected after the mucous aggregation events and the other periods. Cluster analysis and MDS ordination did not allow a clear distinction between the samples. Concerning mussels, one-way ANOVA showed that mean values of the shell length and the condition index (dry weight/shell weight) were significantly influenced (p<0.001) by the months. The mean values both for shell length and condition index were higher in 2001. The shell length trend revealed a slowing down of growth in June-July 2000 and July-August 2002, and the condition index trend showed a significant fall in samples of June 2000 and July 2002. The growth of M. galloprovincialis might be influenced negatively by mucous aggregates, whereas the soft-bottom macro-zoobenthos seems not to be directly affected by the event.     

Circulation and horizontal fluxes in the northern Adriatic Sea in the period June 1999-July 2002. Part II: nutrients transport

Nutrient concentrations (orthophosphate, orthosilicate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen-DIN) were measured on three transects in the northern Adriatic approximately monthly in the period June 1999-July 2002. The net nutrient transports across the three transects were estimated from these concentration values and calculated water fluxes [Grilli F, Paschini E, Russo A, Precali R, Supi? N. Circulation and horizontal fluxes in the Northern Adriatic Sea in the period June 1999_July 2002. Part I: geostrophic circulation and current measurement. Sci Total Environ 2005-this issue], with the aim to verify their possible role in the mucilage phenomenon. The nutrient transports in the northern Adriatic were very variable, seasonally and from year to year, both in intensity and direction. Some differences were noticed also among the nutrient species. At the northernmost transect Po Delta-Rovinj minimal values and variable directions were recorded, probably due to the prevailing of eastward transversal transports, observed already in late winter, and generally dominant in spring and summer. Northward transport was often measured at the central transect Cesenatico-Cape Kamenjak, particularly in spring 2000 and 2002, and summer 2001, as well as for only DIN in summer 1999. In contrast, southward directions prevailed at the southernmost transect Senigallia-Susak Island. In October significant southward transports occurred at all transects and for all nutrients, particularly strong in 2000, when exceptionally high Po River discharges occurred, and the Western Adriatic Current (WAC) was well developed. However, the nutrient transports in the upper water column were low or northwards at both transect Cesenatico-Cape Kamenjak and Senigallia-Susak Island in June and July 2000, 2001, and 2002, when the mucilage phenomenon developed, but were opposite in 1999, a year without events. The results suggest that high variations of nutrient fluxes and their ratios, in conditions of reduced water dynamics, are essential for the development of the phenomenon, rather than the absolute amounts of the nutrient inputs.     

Meteorological and oceanographic conditions in the northern Adriatic Sea during the period June 1999-July 2002: influence on the mucilage phenomenon

Mucilage events (formation of very large organic aggregates and gelatinous surface layers) have been documented several times during the past two centuries in the northern Adriatic Sea (NA), while their frequency has significantly increased since 1988. In this work, meteorological and oceanographic conditions in the NA during the period June 1999-July 2002 are described and their relation to the outbreak and fate of the mucilage phenomenon was investigated. Salinity and temperature data were collected during approximately monthly cruises along three transects in the NA. Relevant meteorological situations (air temperature, rainfall, wind) were selected from large-scale ECMWF analyses and from the Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS; Emilia Romagna Meteorological Service), while sea conditions (waves) were analysed by means of the Wave Adriatic Model (WAM). Data for air temperature, rainfall, and wind from several meteorological stations in the region were used. Average seasonal cycles of sea temperature and salinity simulated with statistical models, based on historical data collected in the NA since 1972, were used to determine thermal and haline anomalies. The monthly anomaly variability of maximum and minimum air temperatures, rainfall amount and number of rainy days did not appear to be relevant for the mucilage phenomenon outbreak. In contrast, both vertical and horizontal thermohaline gradients in the region were more developed during late spring and summer of 2000 and particularly of 2002, when the mucilage events were of greatest extent in space and time, compared to 2001 (short-lived event) and 1999 (no event). These more pronounced gradients were due to a combination of several unusual conditions: sharp heating of the sea surface in May-June, domination of eastwards transport of freshened waters formed in the Po Delta area, and intrusion of very high salinity intermediate waters originating in the eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, in winter of both 2000 and 2002 very dense and cold water formed and remained in the bottom layer until spring, contributing to increase the stratification degree of the water column. The duration of the mucilage events and their spatial distribution in the region depend strongly on meteorological changes. Recurrent anticyclonic conditions, characterized by low wind and calm sea, favour extended events in time (up 2 months in 2002). In contrast, highly perturbed weather, particularly due to strong "bora" wind, can be determined in sharp decay of the event (e.g. in July 2000).     

Mucilaginous aggregates in the northern Adriatic in the period 1999-2002: typology and distribution

The spatial and temporal distributions of different types of visible mucilaginous aggregates were investigated monthly by underwater video cameras in the northern Adriatic (NA) from June 1999 to July 2002. Small aggregates (flocs, macroflocs and stringers) were observed in all seasons with higher values in autumn and winter. Larger aggregates (ribbons, cobwebs, clouds, and false bottoms) formed only during late-spring and summer, particularly in 2000 and 2002, when the seasonal thermohaline stratification was marked. In fact, the process of mucilage formation took place mainly in the upper water column, above the main pycnocline. The spatial distribution shows that higher concentrations of small aggregates occur in the more productive coastal waters. The larger aggregates form or accumulate mainly in coastal waters in the southern part of the NA and in the central part of the Po River delta-Rovinj transect, where a gyre greatly influences the aggregates distribution. The fronts between low salinity coastal waters and high salinity waters of southern origin play an important role for accumulation and aggregation of the mucilage during spring and summer. Most of the aggregates accumulate in correspondence with strong pycnoclines with differences in density anomaly of 2 kg m(-3) or higher. False bottoms formed in correspondence with strong haloclines (DeltaS congruent with 2), while cobwebs and ribbons also occurred when the halocline was less marked (DeltaS<0.5). Meteorological conditions greatly influenced the aggregate formation. Calm weather and weak winds favour aggregation processes, while strong north-easterly winds, causing intense mixing, result in the dispersion of the mucilaginous aggregates, as occurred during the Bora event in July 2000.     

Relevance of the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax fragilis in mucilage formations of the Adriatic Sea

Oceanographic cruises were carried out monthly from June 1999 to July 2002 to follow the mucilage formation process in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Results show that in correspondence with these events the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax fragilis (Schütt) Kofoid was observed both in the water column and within mucilage aggregates. In the water column, increasing abundances were observed from May until July, with values never exceeding 8500 cells l(-1). Much higher densities were observed within superficial gelatinous aggregates (22800-3400000 cells l(-1)). In mucilage samples, a large number of decomposing cells were present, together with abundant alive cells, enveloped in exudates. G. fragilis isolated from mucilage samples was cultured in three different culture media; it was characterized by a low growth rate but it produced a high amount of polysaccharides. The highest yield both in terms of cell number and carbohydrate production was observed in the medium having the highest nitrogen and phosphorus content and the lowest N/P ratio. The monomeric composition of G. fragilis carbohydrates, compared with that of mucilage samples, showed that in both natural and cultured samples galactose was the most abundant sugar; in addition, an overall good correlation, especially between the monomeric carbohydrate composition of G. fragilis grown in f/2 medium and that of a mucilage sample in which this species was present in high density, was observed.     

Relationships between heterotrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria in the northern Adriatic in relation to the mucilage phenomenon

High variability of heterotrophic bacterial (HB; 0.1.10(9)-6.10(9) cells L(-1)), nanoflagellates (HNF; 0.02.10(6)-2.4.10(6) cells L(-1)) and cyanobacterial (CB; 10(6)-700.10(6) cells L(-1)) abundances were observed during approximately monthly measurements at six stations along the transect Po Delta-Rovinj from March 1999 to August 2002. Substantially higher values were observed during the stratification period (June-September) in the surface layer of the western stations that were under more direct influence of Po River discharges. Changes of the HB abundance were significantly correlated with temperature in the entire water column and chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration in the surface layer. The nutrients did not look to have directly influenced the HB growth, except orthophosphate in the eastern, more oligotrophic part of transect, where probably HB efficiently competed with phytoplankton for this nutrient. Temperature was also important for CB growth that, however, appeared to occur more intensively in waters with low nutrient concentrations. Probably, in these conditions CB can still develop, while larger autotrophs are strongly nutrient limited. In the upper water column of reduced salinity (35-37), the contributions of CB carbon biomass to the total picoplankton biomass (CB+HB) were mostly larger than 30% (up to 80%) in years with mucilage events (1991, 2000-2002) than in other years. For example, in 1999 only a few values were higher than 30% (up to 50%). In abundant presence of mucilaginous aggregates (e.g. in June 2000 and late June 2002) the chlorophyll a ascribed to CB accounted for much larger portions of total measured Chla. From these results it was concluded that cyanobacteria during mucilage events may play a substantially increased role both as primary producers and prey within the microbial loop of the northern Adriatic.     

Mucilage microcosms

In the summers of 2000, 2001 and 2002, large amounts of sticky mucilaginous material aggregated to form masses of impressive dimensions over large areas of the Adriatic Sea, particularly in its northern part. Aggregates differing in size were sampled by SCUBA divers and submitted to chemical (nutrient and organic matter concentrations) and biological analysis (virus, bacteria and phytoplankton abundances and bacterial metabolism). Suspended and sinking mucilaginous aggregates were biota-rich environments where the abundance of planktonic organisms and the concentration of nutrients were orders of magnitude higher than in the surrounding seawater. The embedded phytoplankton was mostly composed of diatoms, but the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax fragilis, previously reported in association with the aggregates, was also present. A variety of processes occurred within the mucilaginous aggregates which resulted in the transformation of the organic matter composition and lability and contributed to a partial degradation of mucilage. For an efficient degradation of mucilage, several conditions are necessary: high bacterial abundance and activity and an efficient recycling of nutrients within the aggregates. Most of these conditions, appear to change depending on the type and age of the aggregate. During the first phase of aggregation (cobwebs and ribbons), bacterial activities addressed the degradation of organic matter, particularly that of the nitrogen fraction. The degradation products were rapidly taken up by bacteria, supporting an increase in their abundance and production. In aged mucilage (clouds), the degradation processes decreased and the bacterial metabolism suggested the presence of new organic labile compounds probably due to phytoplankton production. On the basis of our results, stringers, generally considered the first step of the aggregation process, seemed to be the result of a mechanical disruption of other types of aggregates.     

Relationships between organic carbon and microbial components in a Tyrrhenian area (Isola del Giglio) affected by mucilages

The chemical and biological properties of the water column at a Tyrrhenian site (Isola del Giglio) were studied during a 3-year period. The results highlighted the oligotrophic features of the site, characterised by quite low concentrations of organic carbon (on average DOC 102 micromol/L and POC 9 micromol/L). Relevant bacterial biomass (on average 42.1 microg C/L) and a notable activity (in terms of frequency of dividing cells, on average more than 5%) were observed. However, remarkable changes for these parameters were seasonally recorded. The cyclic occurrence, generally during the late spring-summer period, of benthic mucilage indicated that localised distrophic processes may occur. In particular, the benthic mucilage events of 2000 and 2001 were investigated, although some comparative information was available also for 1999 and 2002. The mucilage aggregates generally showed high bacterial colonisation, which have remarkable effects on the organic matter cycle both inside the aggregates and in the surrounding seawater. During the benthic mucilage development, an increase of DOC and POC concentrations was observed (up to 129 and 18 micromol/L, respectively, in June 2000 and up to 145 and 10 micromol/L, respectively, in May and June 2001) in the water column adjacent to the bottom. However, a general decrease of the trophic value of particulate matter (in terms of C/N ratio) was also observed, especially in 2000 after the disappearance of the mucilage. The available energy and organic matter during the mucilage events led to an increased presence of bacteria in the bottom waters of the Isola del Giglio, with maximum biomass values in 2001. Similarly, the replicative activity of bacteria was higher in 2001 (frequency of dividing cells about 5% vs. 3% of 2000). The lower activity of 2000, in addition to the lower trophic value of organic matter and different environmental conditions (namely lower temperature), might be involved in the persistence of mucilage in 2000 with respect to the rapid disappearance observed in 2001.     

Spatial and temporal variability of carbohydrates in the northern Adriatic--a possible link to mucilage events

Large-scale mucilage events in the northern Adriatic have become more frequent during the last few decades. Since carbohydrates (CHO) comprise one of the major constituents of the Adriatic mucilage, studying their seasonal and spatial patterns is one of the key prerequisites for the understanding of this phenomenon. This paper reports on the distribution of particulate (PTCHO) and dissolved carbohydrates (DTCHO) in the period from June 1999 to July 2002, with a special emphasis on the summer mucilage events. A particular attention was paid to the relationship between the phytoplankton crop as reflected by photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate levels in different seasons. The concentration of PTCHO varied in a very wide range (1-72 micromol C/l). Their seasonal distribution revealed that enhanced levels of PTCHO occurred only in the surface layer (0-5 m) and were associated with major phytoplankton blooms. However, the main pool of CHO was in the dissolved fraction, comprising on average 84+/-10% of the total CHO. In contrast to PTCHO, there was no seasonal coincidence between the enhanced phytoplankton biomass and concentrations of DTCHO. In fact, the concentration of DTCHO showed regularly a marked increase during summer, when the phytoplankton biomass remained relatively low. Nevertheless, the concentration of DTCHO in the productive surface layer, influenced by the Po River discharges, was significantly higher than that in the deeper layers. The detailed vertical distribution of carbohydrates indicated that phytoplankton populations in the bottom layer possessed a rather modest potential as a source of CHO. The spatial distribution in the surface layer along the transect Rovinj-Po River mouth revealed only a moderate increase of the total CHO concentration in the more eutrophic western part of the basin. Analysis of pluriannual variability of the total CHO levels showed that probability of a mucilage event in a given year depended on the accumulation of CHO during spring, but, even more, on the prevailing circulation pattern in the basin during the stratification period.     

Transparent exopolymeric particles' distribution in the northern Adriatic and their relation to microphytoplankton biomass and composition

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are generated during transformation processes within the non-living organic matter continuum in the seawater. Seasonal dynamics of TEP along the Po River Delta-Rovinj transect was followed during the 3-year period, using a spectrophotometric method of determination of TEP. Relationships between TEP and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a), abundance and composition, as well as phaeophytin, were analysed. Microphytoplankton spring blooms are confirmed to be an important source of TEP, with some species more related to TEP concentration dynamics, such as Chaetoceros sp. and Skeletonema costatum. Notable spatial west to east gradient of autotrophic biomass and consequently of TEP was observed, as well as gradual decrease with depth. In addition, TEP concentration increments were observed up to 2 months before the mucilage events followed by the decrease of TEP concentration during the event itself. Pattern of TEP dynamics in the years with mucilage events was the most pronounced in 2002, when the event was spatially and temporally the most extended.     

Relationships between northern Adriatic Sea mucilage events and climate variability

A long term analysis (1865-2002) of meteorological data collected in the Po Valley and Northern Adriatic Basin have been analysed to find possible links between variability in the climatic parameters and the phenomenon of mucilage. Seasonal anomalies of temperature, calculated as spatial mean over the Po Valley area, and anomalies of North Atlantic Oscillation were compared with the historical record of mucilage episodes. Both climatic indices were found to be positively correlated with mucilage events, suggesting a possible relationship between climatic variability and the increased appearance of mucilage aggregates.     

Quality of dredged material in the river Seine basin (France). II. Micropollutants

Dredging rivers is needed to ensure safe navigable waters, rivers and waterways. To anticipate the management of dredged materials in the case of the river Seine basin, the quality of the sediments in the river is checked every 3 years before dredging operations. The river Seine Basin is heavily submitted to pollution pressure from nearby industrial activities and urban expansion of Paris and its region. Here, the micropollutant content of the sediment sampled in 1996, 1999 and 2000 before dredging is discussed compared to regulatory standards. The results indicate that most of the sediment samples from the river Seine basin are lightly to moderately contaminated with organic and inorganic micropollutants (heavy metals, PAH, PCB), which makes the management after dredging easier. This pollution is strongly correlated with the organic matter content and to the fine fraction (<50 microm) of the sediment. These results can lead to other management options than the ones already used in the river Seine basin: (1) dumping of lightly to moderately polluted sediments in quarries; and (2) physical treatment (sieving, hydrocycloning) of contaminated sediments issued from 'hot spots'.     

Inter-annual variations of planktonic food webs in the northern Adriatic Sea

The temporal dynamics of microphytoplankton, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton were monitored over 37 months in the Adriatic Sea in order to identify alterations in the plankton structures, which can lead to, or enhance the production of macro-aggregates, that affected the entire northern basin in summers 2000 and 2002, and to assess any negative effects of mucilage on plankton temporal patterns. Samples were collected monthly, from June 1999 to July 2002, on three transects at 9 stations across the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Besides the high year-to-year variations in abundances and taxonomical composition, plankton communities only showed a clear seasonal succession during 2001, when since April a grazing food web developed and was able to control large sized phytoplankton increase. In spring-summer 2000 and 2002 consumer abundances remained quite low and the dominant mesozooplankton summer species (Penilia avirostris) did not reach its usual summer maximum. The lack of an efficient top control was more evident on the northernmost transect, where generally grazing food web prevails over the microbial one. A large part of the microphytoplankton blooms, although not particularly intense, was exported to the bottom in the particulate phase, where it was processed by bacteria, enhancing the production of refractory dissolved material.     

Effects of industrial and urban pollution on the benthic macrofauna in the Bay of Muggia (industrial port of Trieste, Italy)

The benthic macrofauna of the Bay of Muggia and its evolution in time was analysed in order to assess the impact of man-made pollution in this port area. The north and NE zones are totally industrialised while the southern zone is mainly used for tourism and aquaculture. The most important anthropic impacts were stagnation and direct urban and industrial discharges, which operated until the beginning of the 1990s. Forty-four stations were sampled in 1981, 12 of which were monitored over time (1975, 1981 and 1994). From 172 taxa 11783 organisms were identified. Polychaetes were the richest group, followed by molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms. The dominant species was Corbula gibba (39.5%) followed by Pectinaria koreni (9%). Uni- and multivariate analyses showed a declining pattern for the fauna along a gradient of environmental stress. The very high concentrations of heavy metals in the Bay's sediments, especially Pb, contrasted with the diversity and biological index values found, indicating that many species could survive these conditions. The enforcement of the Italian ecological laws regarding water pollution control benefited the local macrofauna and evidenced the resilience of the system. C. gibba constituted a good biological indicator of zones of high instability (especially sedimentary) and of intermediate levels of pollution.     

Evaluation of the effects of seasonal changes in sediment characteristics on macroinvertebrate assemblage in a tropical reservoir

Osinmo Reservoir is an important water body in south‐western Nigeria. Despite being critically important, there is a lack of detailed biological studies on this reservoir. This study investigated the effect of seasonal variations on the characteristics of the sediment and the community structure of the macroinvertebrates in the reservoir between May 2012 and March 2014. The sediment was generally slightly acidic and was dominated by silty sand and sandy mud with low organic matter. Twenty‐four taxa of macroinvertebrates with a total abundance of 55,065 individuals (ind.) belonging to three phyla were recorded. Overall, the composition and the abundance of the macroinvertebrates were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in the wet and dry seasons. Seasonal variations in the sediment quality did not have a significant impact on the community metrics such as species diversity, species richness and species evenness. The dominance of sensitive species indicated a moderately clean status of the reservoir.