Assessing marine ecosystem response to nutrient inputs

Population Characteristics of the Limpet Patella caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) in Eastern Mediterranean (Central Greece)

Limpets are pivotal for structuring and regulating the ecological balance of littoral communities and are widely collected for human consumption and as fishing bait. Limpets of the species Patella caerulea were collected between April 2016 and April 2017 from two sites, and two samplings per each site with varying degree of exposure to wave action and anthropogenic pressure, in Eastern Mediterranean (Pagasitikos Gulf, Central Greece). This study addresses a knowledge gap on population characteristics of P. caerulea populations in Eastern Mediterranean, assesses population structure, allometric relationships, and reproductive status. Morphometric characteristics exhibited spatio-temporal variation. Population density was significantly higher at the exposed site. Spatial relationship between members of the population exhibited clumped pattern of dispersion during spring. Broadcast spawning of the population occurred during summer. Seven dominant age groups were identified, with the dominant cohort in the third-year class. Significant negative allometric relationships were exhibited between morphometric characteristics. Differences in growth patterns among populations were indicated.

Using bioassays for testing seawater quality in Greece

The objective of this work was the assessment of seawater quality in Thermaikos Gulf, Pagassitikos Gulf and Skiathos island in Northern Aegean Sea by the use of bioassays. Two bioassays using marine organisms as indicators of seawater quality were applied in this study; the invertebrate Artemia franciscana and the marine bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Bioassays are required for the integrated evaluation of water pollution, as physical and chemical tests alone are not sufficient enough for the assessment of potential effects on aquatic organisms. According to the result of this study, improvement in coastal water quality of Thermaikos Gulf was observed between September 1997 and April-May 2000. However, coastal water quality of Pagassitikos Gulf varied during the test period; it was generally good during April-May 2000, while in October 1999 it was generally poor. Between the two bioassays that have been applied in this study, the Microtox test, where the marine bacterium V. fischeri was used as a test organism, was more sensitive in detecting toxicity in seawater.