1
|
Colombani N, Alessandrino L, Gaiolini M, Gervasio MP, Ruberti D, Mastrocicco M. Unravelling the salinity origins in the coastal aquifer/aquitard system of the Volturno River (Italy). WATER RESEARCH 2024; 263:122145. [PMID: 39098156 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
To counteract the ongoing salinization of coastal aquifers, which poses a significant environmental and socioeconomic challenge to local communities, it is necessary to first understand the origin and mechanisms of this phenomenon. This study investigates the origins of salinity in the Volturno River lowland in Southern Italy and reveals that the primary source in the area is paleo-seawater entrapped within sediments that were subject to evapoconcentration processes. By systematically collecting sediment samples at variable depths and locations and extracting porewaters, a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between freshwater and saline water was gained, including complex patterns of vertical stratification of groundwater salinity. The study highlights the limitations of traditional methods that rely on salinity monitoring via integral depth sampling, particularly in capturing the vertical redox and salinity gradients characteristics of layered aquifer/aquitard systems. On the contrary, environmental tracers, like chloride and bromide, provide valuable insights into the sources of groundwater salinity, distinguishing between current seawater intrusion and other causes, such as paleo-seawater and return flow from drained agricultural land. Results suggest that the majority of salinity does not originate from modern seawater intrusion or recent evaporation. Instead, it can be attributed to paleo-seawater affected by evapoconcentration processes. This study has broader implications for the sustainable management of coastal aquifers and the safeguarding of freshwater resources. While our findings are specific to the Volturno River coastal area, the methodologies and insights here presented can be reproduced in every coastal region facing similar salinity challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Colombani
- SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Luigi Alessandrino
- DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Mattia Gaiolini
- SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Gervasio
- DiSAP - Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, C.so Ercole I D'Este 32 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daniela Ruberti
- Department of Engineering, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Roma 29 81031Aversa, Italy
| | - Micòl Mastrocicco
- DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43 81100, Caserta, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giani M, Pavlidou A, Kralj M, Varkitzi I, Borja A, Menchaca I, Lipizer M, Partescano E, Urbini L, Francé J, Magaletti E, Xuan AN, Lanera P, Skejić S, Ivanković D, Gladan ŽN, Matijević S, Pantazi M, Pagou K. Assessment of the eutrophication status at Mediterranean sub-basin scale, within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173876. [PMID: 38879033 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to define harmonized reference conditions and assessment thresholds for selected criteria elements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 5 (Eutrophication) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and to test if a tool for integrated assessment of the status of marine systems can be used as a common methodological approach. In this frame, we tested two statistical approaches in order to set threshold values for four criteria of Descriptor 5: nutrients, chlorophyll a, transparency and dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters. It is noteworthy that this work revealed the need to apply common procedures in data treatment and assessment evaluation. This is the first attempt to set common methods for the assessment of eutrophication in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is essential in marine environments, especially those shared by several countries. To this end, we have applied common criteria and metrics and established thresholds "Good" and "Moderate" for nutrients, chlorophyll a, transparency and dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters for the different Water Types of the Adriatic and Aegean Seas (I, II, IIIW, IIIE), based on datasets provided by Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Greece. The selected criteria elements were common for all countries, providing a unified approach to GES assessment of two case study areas: the Adriatic Sea and the Saronikos Gulf. Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) threshold values of 15.6, 6.85, 1.61 and 2.11 μmol L-1 were set for the Water Types I, II, IIIW and IIIE, respectively. We also tested if an aggregation tool for GES assessment, such as Nested Environmental status Assessment Tool (NEAT), could be used as a common methodological approach. The comparison of NEAT with TRIX showed good comparability. In this end, NEAT can be used as a useful and much needed assessment tool for assessing eutrophication status of the marine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Giani
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alexandra Pavlidou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio Ave, Mavro Lithari, Anavissos, Attika, Greece.
| | - Martina Kralj
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ioanna Varkitzi
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio Ave, Mavro Lithari, Anavissos, Attika, Greece
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Spain
| | - Iratxe Menchaca
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Spain
| | - Marina Lipizer
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Partescano
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lidia Urbini
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy
| | - Janja Francé
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Erika Magaletti
- ISPRA, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Lanera
- ISPRA, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Roma, Italy
| | - Sanda Skejić
- IOR, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia
| | - Damir Ivanković
- IOR, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia
| | | | | | - Maria Pantazi
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 576A Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Pagou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens-Sounio Ave, Mavro Lithari, Anavissos, Attika, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ricci F, Capellacci S, Casabianca S, Grilli F, Campanelli A, Marini M, Penna A. Variability of hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in the North-western Adriatic coastal waters in relation to river discharge and climate changes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142486. [PMID: 38823423 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The dynamics of hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in a Northwestern coastal area of the Adriatic Sea were investigated. The time series data from continuous observation (2007-2022) allowed the investigation of annual trends and seasonal cycles along a coastal transect influenced by local river discharge. Various statistical models were used to investigate water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic, inorganic and particulate nutrients, precipitation and river discharge. It was found that the local river discharge regime played an essential role in interannual, and seasonal biogeochemical dynamics associated with global climate change in the Mediterranean region. A significant trend towards oligotrophic conditions was detected, as evidenced by the downward trend in the river mouth and on the sea of chlorophyll a (-0.2 μg L-1 in the sea), dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., -0.43 μM yr-1 of DON in the sea and -6.67 of DIN μM yr-1 in the river mouth or -0.07 μM yr-1 of DOP and -0.02 μM yr-1 of DIP in the river mouth) and silicate (-2.47 μM yr-1 in the river mouth) concentrations. Salinity showed a long-term increase in the sea (0.08 yr-1), corresponding to a significant decrease in water discharge from the local river (-0.27 m3 s-1 yr-1) and precipitation (-0.06 mm yr-1). The dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients highlighted a different seasonal accumulation under the river runoff regime. The nutrient enrichment was predominantly driven by river contribution. Data analysis showed that the coastal biogeochemical properties dynamics were mostly influenced by river discharge and precipitation regimes, which in turn are driven by climate change variability in the North-western Adriatic Sea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Ricci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | | | | | - Mauro Marini
- Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy; CNR, IRBIM, Largo Fiera della Pesca, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Knjaz M, Baricevic A, Tankovic MS, Kuzat N, Vlasicek I, Grizancic L, Podolsak I, Pfannkuchen M, Kogovsek T, Pfannkuchen DM. First regional reference database of northern Adriatic diatom transcriptomes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16209. [PMID: 39003315 PMCID: PMC11246432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine microbial communities form the basis for the functioning of marine ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity. With the application of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics in marine environmental studies, significant progress has been made in analysing the functioning of microbial communities as a whole. These molecular techniques are highly dependent on reliable, well-characterised, comprehensive and taxonomically diverse sequenced reference transcriptomes of microbial organisms. Here we present a set of 12 individual transcriptome assemblies derived from 6 representative diatom species from the northern Adriatic Sea grown under 2 environmentally relevant growth conditions (phosphate replete vs. phosphate deprived). After filtering the reads and assembly, an average number of 64,932 transcripts per assembly was obtained, of which an average of 8856 were assigned to functionally known proteins. Of all assigned transcripts, an average of 6483 proteins were taxonomically assigned to diatoms (Bacillariophyta). On average, a higher number of assigned proteins was detected in the transcriptome assemblies of diatoms grown under replete media condition. On average, 50% of the mapped proteins were shared between the two growth conditions. All recorded proteins in the dataset were classified into 24 COG categories, with approximately 25% belonging to the unknown function and the remaining 75% belonging to all other categories. The resulting diatom reference database for the northern Adriatic, focussing on the response to nutrient limitation as characteristic for the region and predicted for the future world oceans, provides a valuable resource for analysing environmental metatranscriptome and metagenome data. Each northern Adriatic transcriptome can also be used by itself as a reference database for the (meta)transcriptomes and gene expression studies of the associated species that will be generated in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mia Knjaz
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ana Baricevic
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia.
| | | | - Natasa Kuzat
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ivan Vlasicek
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Lana Grizancic
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ivan Podolsak
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | | | - Tjasa Kogovsek
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Rovinj, Croatia
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Skejić S, Milić Roje B, Matić F, Arapov J, Francé J, Bužančić M, Bakrač A, Straka M, Ninčević Gladan Ž. Phytoplankton Assemblage over a 14-Year Period in the Adriatic Sea: Patterns and Trends. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:493. [PMID: 39056687 PMCID: PMC11273836 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Considering the role of phytoplankton in the functioning and health of marine systems, it is important to characterize its responses to a changing environment. The central Adriatic Sea, as a generally oligotrophic area, is a suitable environment to distinguish between regular fluctuations in phytoplankton and those caused by anthropogenic or climatic influences. This study provides a long-term perspective of phytoplankton assemblage in the central eastern Adriatic Sea, with 14 years of continuous time series data collected at two coastal and two offshore stations. The predominant phytoplankton groups were diatoms and phytoflagellates, but their proportion varied depending on the vicinity of the coast, as evidenced also by the distribution of chlorophyll a. In the coastal environment, the phytoplankton biomass was substantially higher, with a higher proportion of microphytoplankton, while small phytoplankton accounted for the majority of biomass in the offshore area. In addition, a decreasing trend in diatom abundance was observed in the coastal waters, while such trend was not so evident in the offshore area. Using a neural gas algorithm, five clusters were defined based on the contribution of the major groups. The observed increase in diversity, especially in dinoflagellates, which outnumber diatom taxa, could be a possible adaptation of dinoflagellates to the increased natural solar radiation in summer and the increased sea surface temperature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanda Skejić
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Blanka Milić Roje
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Frano Matić
- Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Jasna Arapov
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Janja Francé
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Mia Bužančić
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Ana Bakrač
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Maja Straka
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Živana Ninčević Gladan
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gervasio MP, Soana E, Gavioli A, Vincenzi F, Castaldelli G. Contrasting effects of climate change on denitrification and nitrogen load reduction in the Po River (Northern Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:48189-48204. [PMID: 39023725 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34171-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
An increase in water temperature is one of the main factors that can potentially modify biogeochemical dynamics in lowland rivers, such as the removal and recycling of nitrogen (N). This effect of climate change on N processing deserves attention, as it may have unexpected impacts on eutrophication in the coastal zones. Intact sediment cores were collected seasonally at the closing section of the Po River, the largest Italian river and one of the main N inputs to the Mediterranean Sea. Benthic oxygen fluxes, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) rates were measured using laboratory dark incubations. Different temperature treatments were set up for each season based on historical data and future predictions. Higher water temperatures enhanced sediment oxygen demand and the extent of hypoxic conditions in the benthic compartment, favoring anaerobic metabolism. Indeed, warming water temperature stimulated nitrate (NO3-) reduction processes, although NO3- and organic matter availability were found to be the main controlling factors shaping the rates between seasons. Denitrification was the main process responsible for NO3- removal, mainly supported by NO3- diffusion from the water column into the sediments, and much more important than N recycling via DNRA. The predicted increase in the water temperature of the Po River due to climate change may exert an unexpected negative feedback on eutrophication by strongly controlling denitrification and contributing to partial buffering of N export in the lagoons and coastal areas, especially in spring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Gervasio
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Elisa Soana
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Gavioli
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio Vincenzi
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldelli
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Asciutto E, Maioli F, Manfredi C, Anibaldi A, Cimini J, Isailović I, Marčeta B, Casini M. Spatio-temporal patterns of whiting (Merlangius merlangus) in the Adriatic Sea under environmental forcing. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0289999. [PMID: 38517868 PMCID: PMC10959384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how environmental factors affect species distribution is crucial for the conservation and management of marine organisms, especially in the face of global changes. Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) is a demersal cold-temperate fish, considered a 'relict species' in the Adriatic Sea. Despite its significance to commercial fisheries in the region, the specific drivers behind its spatial and temporal patterns have not been thoroughly examined. Here, we fitted a set of Generalized Linear Mixed Effects Models to data collected in the Northern and Central Adriatic from 1999 to 2019 during the Mediterranean International Trawl Survey to investigate the potential influence of depth, seafloor temperature and seafloor dissolved oxygen on the annual biomass density and spatial distribution of whiting in the spring-summer season. Our results showed that depth, and to a lesser degree temperature and oxygen, are important predictors of whiting distribution in this period, with preferences for depths of ~ 45 m, temperature of ~ 15.4°C and dissolved oxygen > 5.5 ml L-1. We predicted a persistent core area of distribution in front of the Po River Delta, in the Northern Adriatic Sea, while the density progressively declined towards the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea along the Italian coast. Additionally, the temporal trend exhibited high fluctuations over the years, occurring in cycles of 3 to 4 years. Finally, by comparing the biomass density estimates obtained under optimal conditions with those derived from the actual values for each variable, our analysis revealed that temperature had a pronounced and general impact on biomass density in the northern survey area (predictions revealed a density reduction of approximately two-thirds), while oxygen displayed a minor and more localized influence. This work deepens the current knowledge about the ecology of whiting in the Adriatic Sea and provides support for the conservation and management of this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Asciutto
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - Federico Maioli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
| | - Chiara Manfredi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
- CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Anibaldi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
- CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo Cimini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
| | | | - Bojan Marčeta
- Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana- Šmartno, Slovenia
| | - Michele Casini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Bologna, Fano, Italy
- CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lysekil, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alessandrino L, Gaiolini M, Cellone FA, Colombani N, Mastrocicco M, Cosma M, Da Lio C, Donnici S, Tosi L. Salinity origin in the coastal aquifer of the Southern Venice lowland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167058. [PMID: 37709072 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater salinization can be natural and anthropogenic in origin, although it often results from a combination of both, especially in low-lying coastal regions that are hydraulically controlled. This study proposes a method to assess the origin of salinity using environmental tracers in porewater, like Cl- and Br-, combined with depositional facies associations detected in sediment cores. Such integrated approach was tested in a target area south of the Venice Lagoon (Italy), where groundwater salinization is triggered by multiple mechanisms due to the complexity of the hydro-geomorphological environment. Batch tests were performed on sediment core samples from boreholes to quantify major anions and total inorganic N. Cl- and Br- porewater concentrations coupled with sedimentary facies association provided insights into the origin of groundwater salinity from a variety of sources, including past and present seawater intrusion, agricultural leaching, and evaporites. The strengths and limitations of the integrated approach are discussed to provide a pathway for improving water resource management and planning measures to prevent groundwater salinization in coastal areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Alessandrino
- DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Mattia Gaiolini
- SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francisco Aldo Cellone
- IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy; Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (CIM-UNLP-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolò Colombani
- SIMAU - Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Micòl Mastrocicco
- DiSTABiF - Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Marta Cosma
- IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristina Da Lio
- IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Sandra Donnici
- IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luigi Tosi
- IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, Via G. Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Coro G, Bove P, Kesner-Reyes K. Global-scale parameters for ecological models. Sci Data 2023; 10:7. [PMID: 36599846 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01904-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a collection of environmental, geophysical, and other marine-related data for marine ecological models and ecological-niche models. It consists of 2132 raster data for 58 distinct parameters at regional and global scales in the ESRI-GRID ASCII format. Most data originally belonged to open data owned by the authors of this article but residing on heterogeneous repositories with different formats and resolutions. Other data were specifically created for the present publication. The collection includes 565 data with global scale range; 154 at 0.5° resolution and 411 at 0.1° resolution; 196 data with annual temporal aggregation over ~10 key years between 1950 and 2100; 369 data with monthly aggregation at 0.1° resolution from January 2017 to ~May 2021 continuously. Data were also cut out on 8 European marine regions. The collection also includes forecasts for different future scenarios such as the Representative Concentration Pathways 2.6 (63 data), 4.5 (162 data), and 8.5 (162 data), and the A2 scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (180 data).
Collapse
Grants
- 101000302 EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Societal Challenges | H2020 Food (H2020 Societal Challenges - Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research, and the Bioeconomy)
- 101000302 EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Societal Challenges | H2020 Food (H2020 Societal Challenges - Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research, and the Bioeconomy)
- 101000302 EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Societal Challenges | H2020 Food (H2020 Societal Challenges - Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research, and the Bioeconomy)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianpaolo Coro
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Pisa, 56124, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Bove
- Institute of Information Science and Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Pisa, 56124, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Scicchitano D, Lo Martire M, Palladino G, Nanetti E, Fabbrini M, Dell’Anno A, Rampelli S, Corinaldesi C, Candela M. Microbiome network in the pelagic and benthic offshore systems of the northern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Sci Rep 2022; 12:16670. [PMID: 36198901 PMCID: PMC9535000 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21182-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractBecause of their recognized global importance, there is now the urgent need to map diversity and distribution patterns of marine microbial communities. Even if available studies provided some advances in the understanding the biogeographical patterns of marine microbiomes at the global scale, their degree of plasticity at the local scale it is still underexplored, and functional implications still need to be dissected. In this scenario here we provide a synoptical study on the microbiomes of the water column and surface sediments from 19 sites in a 130 km2 area located 13.5 km afar from the coast in the North-Western Adriatic Sea (Italy), providing the finest-scale mapping of marine microbiomes in the Mediterranean Sea. Pelagic and benthic microbiomes in the study area showed sector specific-patterns and distinct assemblage structures, corresponding to specific variations in the microbiome network structure. While maintaining a balanced structure in terms of potential ecosystem services (e.g., hydrocarbon degradation and nutrient cycling), sector-specific patterns of over-abundant modules—and taxa—were defined, with the South sector (the closest to the coast) characterized by microbial groups of terrestrial origins, both in the pelagic and the benthic realms. By the granular assessment of the marine microbiome changes at the local scale, we have been able to describe, to our knowledge at the first time, the integration of terrestrial microorganisms in the marine microbiome networks, as a possible natural process characterizing eutrophic coastal area. This raises the question about the biological threshold for terrestrial microorganisms to be admitted in the marine microbiome networks, without altering the ecological balance.
Collapse
|
11
|
Diet of Adult Sardine Sardina pilchardus in the Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10081012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Food availability is thought to exert a bottom-up control on the population dynamics of small pelagic fish; therefore, studies on trophic ecology are essential to improve their management. Sardina pilchardus is one of the most important commercial species in the Adriatic Sea, yet there is little information on its diet in this area. Adult sardines were caught in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic) from spring 2006 to winter 2007. Experimental catches conducted over 24-h cycles in May, June and July showed that the sardines foraged mainly in the late afternoon. A total of 96 adult sardines were analysed: the number of prey varied from a minimum of 305 to a maximum of 3318 prey/stomach, with an overall mean of 1259 ± 884 prey/stomach. Prey items were identified to the lowest possible taxonomical level, counted and measured at the stereo-microscope. Overall, sardines fed on a wide range of planktonic organisms (87 prey items from 17 μm to 18.4 mm were identified), with copepods being the most abundant prey (56%) and phytoplankton never exceeding 10% of the prey. Copepods of the Clauso-Paracalanidae group and of the genus Oncaea were by far the most important prey. The carbon content of prey items was indirectly estimated from prey dry mass or body volume. Almost all carbon uptake relied on a few groups of zooplankton. Ivlev’s selectivity index showed that sardines positively selected small preys (small copepods < 1 mm size), but also larger preys (such as teleost eggs, decapod larvae and chaetognaths), confirming their adaptive feeding capacity.
Collapse
|
12
|
Franzo A, Baldrighi E, Grassi E, Grego M, Balsamo M, Basili M, Semprucci F. Free-living nematodes of Mediterranean ports: A mandatory contribution for their use in ecological quality assessment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 180:113814. [PMID: 35679809 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Free-living nematodes were investigated in three Mediterranean commercial ports (Ancona and Trieste, Italy; Koper, Slovenia) in terms of abundance, diversity and functionality. Results indicated that r-strategist genera were dominant in all ports and that a more diverse assemblage characterized Trieste, despite the high contamination levels, suggesting a potential adaptation to long-standing contamination. The main environmental factor that shaped the assemblage in all ports were Total Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, while Total Organic Carbon and the grain-size were less relevant. A co-occurrence analysis was applied for identifying which genera cohesively respond to site-specific environmental conditions in order to recalibrate and implement the sets of bioindicator genera in relation to their different opportunistic behaviour. Finally, we provided some suggestions for a proper application of the nematode indices (Maturity Index, Index of Trophic Diversity, Shannon diversity) in order to encourage the use of free-living nematodes for the environmental quality assessment of commercial ports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Franzo
- Oceanography Section, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, OGS I-34151 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Elisa Baldrighi
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca 1, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Grassi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', loc. Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
| | - Mateja Grego
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, Fornace 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Maria Balsamo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', loc. Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032 Fano, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa) Rome, URL-Centro Direzionale-Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Marco Basili
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Largo Fiera della Pesca 1, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Federica Semprucci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', loc. Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032 Fano, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa) Rome, URL-Centro Direzionale-Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Observation of Abrupt Changes in the Sea Surface Layer of the Adriatic Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10070848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We observed interannual changes in the temperature and salinity of the surface layer of the Adriatic Sea when measured during the period 2005–2020. We observed non-stationarity and a positive linear trend in the series of mixed layer depth, heat storage, and potential energy anomalies. This non-stationarity was related to the climate regime that prevailed between 2011 and 2017. We observed significant changes in the interannual variability of salinity above and below the mixed layer depth and a positive difference in the surface barrier layer. In an effort to reconstruct the cause of this phenomenon, a multi-stage investigation was conducted. The first suspected culprit was the change in wind regime over the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic regions in September. Using the growing neural gas algorithm, September wind fields over the past 40 years were classified into nine distinct patterns. Further analysis of the CTD data indicated an increase in heat storage, a physical property of the Adriatic Sea known to be strongly influenced by the inflow of warm water masses controlled by the bimodal oscillating system (BiOS). The observed increase in salinity confirmed the assumption that BiOS activity affects heat storage. Unexpectedly, this analysis showed that an inverse vertical salinity profile was present during the summer months of 2015, 2017, and 2020, which can only be explained by salinity changes being a dominant factor. In addition, the aforementioned wind regime caused an increase in energy loss through latent energy dissipation, contributing to an even larger increase in salinity. While changes in the depth of the mixed layer in the Adriatic are usually due to temperature changes, this phenomenon was primarily caused by abrupt changes in salinity due to a combination of BiOS and local factors. This is the first record of such an event.
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Macronutrients (nitrogen—N; phosphorus—P; silicon—Si) play a crucial role in ocean surface waters stimulating the planktonic primary production; in fact, their concentrations are fundamental for the evaluation of the trophic status of the water body and eutrophication phenomena. Loads of nutrients into the sea are mainly represented by river runoff and depuration plant outflows. For this purpose, in the framework of the AdSWiM project, “Managed use of treated urban wastewater for the quality of the Adriatic Sea” levels of N-NO3, N-NO2, N-NH4, Si-Si(OH)4, P-PO4 (dissolved inorganic phosphorus—DIP) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) were determined colorimetrically at two sites in the Gulf of Trieste: Lignano Sabbiadoro and San Giorgio di Nogaro. For each site, during the bathing seasons of 2019 and 2020, a sample from the depuration plant (DP) outflow and another one in the bottom seawater near the discharging pipelines were collected. Results showed a strong dilution effect on nutrient levels passing from DPs to the sea, from one to three orders of magnitude and a low and not harmful concentration in seawater. The outflow composition of the two DPs showed that the main fraction of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was represented by N-NO3 for Lignano, while in San Giorgio the major contribution came from N-NH4. Concerning phosphorus, Lignano showed a higher content (about 3 times) of P levels than San Giorgio, but a similar percentage composition, DIP:DOP (77:23), compared to the seawater site one DIP:DOP (2:98). Despite the difference between the DPs, no substantial differences were found in the sea sites, demonstrating the negligible effect of the DP outflows in the nutrient levels in the study area.
Collapse
|
15
|
Somatic Condition and Reproductive Potential as a Tandem in European Sardine: An Analysis with an Environmental Perspective in the Northern Adriatic (Gulf of Trieste). FISHES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes7030105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The European sardine’s condition is reflected in its reproductive potential, and therefore, in its status as a fishery resource. These values depend on the stock’s distribution and resource availability, which is highly determined by environmental characteristics. Sardines from the productive Gulf of Trieste (in the North Adriatic), located in the northernmost section of the most septentrional Mediterranean sub-basin in which sardine exploitation has traditionally been intensive, were analysed. The reproductive cycle and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were studied. Tissue and mesenteric fat values, as well as vacuity (% V), relative condition (Kn), and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices were evaluated due to their potential relationships with reproductive performance. The results suggested opposite patterns between fat reserves and GSI, while Kn showed a relationship neither with GSI, nor with reproductive stage, which led us to conclude that it is more advisable to apply direct lipid indices to project their contribution to reproductive potential. Moreover, the females’ condition was generally better than that of the males, added to an advanced gonadal development during spring and summer, albeit males and females reached the spawning season together. Moreover, females’ GSIs were significantly higher during active spawning. Furthermore, correlation analyses showed that SST was related with the parameters evaluated, as well as the available portion of productivity for the fish (OPFish), which may explain the sardines’ better condition and GSIs than their chlorophyll concentration.
Collapse
|
16
|
Braga F, Ciani D, Colella S, Organelli E, Pitarch J, Brando VE, Bresciani M, Concha JA, Giardino C, Scarpa GM, Volpe G, Rio MH, Falcini F. COVID-19 lockdown effects on a coastal marine environment: Disentangling perception versus reality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:153002. [PMID: 35031364 PMCID: PMC8748204 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 lockdown brought to a drastic reduction of anthropic impacts on the environment worldwide, including the marine-coastal system. Earth-Observation (EO) data have the potential to monitor and diagnose the effects of the lockdown in terms of water quality. Here we connect the dots among some coastal environmental changes that occurred during the Italian COVID-19 lockdown by using EO data, also seeking to assess connectivity between inland and marine systems. We present a holistic analysis of spatial and temporal variability of environmental parameters in the North Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean basin, exploiting the synergy of different satellite sensors, as well as hydrologic data from in situ observations. Our analysis indicates a favourable interplay of environmental variability that resulted in negative anomalies of Chlorophyll-a concentration, with respect to the climatologic values. Peculiar meteo-oceanographic and hydrological conditions made hard to disentangle potential anthropogenic effects. However, a multi-year hierarchical cluster analysis of riverine remote sensing reflectances groups together the optical properties of inland waters during the lockdown. This emergent cluster highlights the possibility of a second-order, anthropogenic effect that, superimposed to the (first-order) environmental natural causes, may have enhanced water quality during the lockdown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Braga
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Venice, Italy
| | - Daniele Ciani
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Colella
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Organelli
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Jaime Pitarch
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio E Brando
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Bresciani
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (CNR-IREA), Milan, Italy
| | - Javier A Concha
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Giardino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per il Rilevamento Elettromagnetico dell'Ambiente (CNR-IREA), Milan, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Scarpa
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Venice, Italy
| | - Gianluca Volpe
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy
| | - Marie-Hélène Rio
- European Space Agency, European Space Research Institute (ESA-ESRIN), Frascati, Italy
| | - Federico Falcini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Meta-Analysis of a New Georeferenced Database on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Western and Central Mediterranean Seafood. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12062776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to collect and harmonize the results of several studies achieved over the years, in order to obtain a database of georeferenced observations on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Western and Central Mediterranean seafood. For each observation, some information on the taxonomy and the ecology of the sampled species are reported, as well as details on the investigated hydrocarbon, and spatial and temporal information on sampling. Moreover, two health risk indexes were calculated for each record and included in the database. Through several statistical methods, we conducted a meta-analysis of the data on some of the species in this database, identifying trends that could be related to the biology of the investigated organisms, as well as to the physico-chemical properties of each hydrocarbon and to the oceanographic characteristic of this part of the Mediterranean. The analysis of the data showed that, at a consumption rate like the one typical of the Italian population, seafood caught from the area considered in the present work seems to pose a minimal risk to health. However, we also found evidence of an increasing trend of PAH concentrations in Mediterranean mussels, pointing to the need for constant monitoring.
Collapse
|
18
|
Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Variability of Faecal Pollution along Coastal Waters during and after Rainfall Events. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of wastewaters are discharged into rivers or seas, with a negative impact on water quality along the coast due to the presence of potential pathogens of faecal origin. Escherichia coli and enterococci are important indicators to assess, monitor, and predict microbial water quality in natural ecosystems. During rainfall events, the amount of wastewater delivered to rivers and coastal systems is increased dramatically. This study implements measures capable of monitoring the pathways of wastewater discharge to rivers and the transport of faecal bacteria to the coastal area during and following extreme rainfall events. Spatio-temporal variability of faecal microorganisms and their relationship with environmental variables and sewage outflow in an area located in the western Adriatic coast (Fano, Italy) was monitored. The daily monitoring during the rainy events was carried out for two summer seasons, for a total of five sampling periods. These results highlight that faecal microbial contaminations were related to rainy events with a high flow of wastewater, with recovery times for the microbiological indicators varying between 24 and 72 h and influenced by a dynamic dispersion. The positive correlation between ammonium and faecal bacteria at the Arzilla River and the consequences in seawater can provide a theoretical basis for controlling ammonium levels in rivers as a proxy to monitor the potential risk of bathing waters pathogen pollution.
Collapse
|
19
|
An Underestimated Contribution of Deltaic Denitrification in Reducing Nitrate Export to the Coastal Zone (Po River–Adriatic Sea, Northern Italy). WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In transitional environments, the role of sediments biogeochemistry and denitrification is crucial for establishing their buffer potential against nitrate (NO3−) pollution. The Po River (Northern Italy) is a worldwide hotspot of eutrophication. However, benthic N dynamics and the relevance of denitrification in its delta have not yet been described. The aim of the present study was to quantify the contribution of denitrification in attenuating the NO3− loading transported to the sea during summer. Benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) and denitrification rates were measured in laboratory incubations of intact sediment cores collected, along a salinity gradient, at three sections of the Po di Goro, the southernmost arm of the Po Delta. The correlation between NO3− consumption and N2 production rates demonstrated that denitrification was the main process responsible for reactive N removal. Denitrification was stimulated by both NO3− availability in the Po River water and organic enrichment of sediment likely determined by salinity-induced flocculation of particulate organic load, and inhibited by increasing salinity, along the river–sea gradient. Overall, denitrification represented a sink of approximately 30% of the daily N loading transported in middle summer, highlighting a previously underestimated role of the Po River Delta.
Collapse
|
20
|
Settlement of Bivalve Spat on Artificial Collectors (Net Bags) in Two Commercial Mussel Parks in the North-Western Adriatic Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Among aquaculture activities, shellfish culture is considered more sustainable and beneficial in terms of food security. Currently, only a few bivalve species are reared and there is a need to explore the possibility to introduce new candidates for shellfish farming. Due to the lack of information on bivalve recruitment in the North-Western Adriatic Sea, in this study, the possibility to collect natural spat of commercial species was investigated. Artificial collectors (net bags) were deployed in two sites, Pellestrina and Caleri (North-Western Adriatic Sea), within two commercial mussel parks, during the spring–summer and summer–autumn periods. At both sites, collectors were placed at a distance of 1 m from each other, from 5 to 14 m depth. The influence of season, site and depth on bivalve recruitment was inspected and the presence of invasive species was also evaluated. In all, 28 bivalve taxa were found, and a higher settlement rate was observed in summer–autumn compared to the spring–summer period. Mytilus galloprovincialis, Flexopecten glaber, Mimachlays varia and Aequipecten opercularis were the most abundant species in spring–summer. In the summer–autumn period, in both sites analysed, a very high quantity of Anadara transversa and F. glaber were found. Indeed, these species were dominant at Pellestrina and Caleri, respectively. Another non-indigenous species, Arcuatula senhousia, was also detected. Relevant amounts of Pectinidae spat, F. glaber in particular, were collected and the optimal depth range for the scallop spat collection was found to be between 8 and 14 m. Our results highlight the relevant potential of Pectinidae spat collection along the North-Western Adriatic coasts, even though the presence of invasive species needs to be monitored.
Collapse
|
21
|
Dissolved Trace Metals and Organic Matter Distribution in the Northern Adriatic, an Increasingly Oligotrophic Shallow Sea. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We report a monthly distribution of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Co, biologically relevant trace metals (TMs), within one year, in the productive surface layer at two stations with different trophic characters in the northern Adriatic (NA). The TM data was accompanied by a multivariable dataset, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), surface-active organic substances (SAS), nitrogen-containing polymeric organic material (N-POM), nutrients, pH, dissolved O2, chlorophyll a (Chl a), seawater temperature, and the Po River discharge rate. At the eu- to mesotrophic station 108, the concentrations of dissolved TMs were 5–116 nM for Zn, 0.04–0.18 nM for Cd, 0.05–0.63 nM for Pb, 3–17 nM for Cu, 4–11 nM for Ni, and 0.2–1.2 nM for Co, while at the oligotrophic station 107, they were 6–224 nM for Zn, 0.03–0.16 nM for Cd, 0.05–1.25 nM for Pb, 3–17 nM for Cu, 4–19 nM for Ni, and 0.1–0.7 nM for Co. The characterization of organic matter (OM) in conjunction with the analysis of correlations with TMs indicated that the OM–TMs interactions differed between the two stations; namely, the freshly produced OM detected at station 108 was probably involved in the complexation of Cu, Co, Cd, and Ni, whereas at station 107, such complexation processes were not present. Accumulation of DOC was observed during the summer months at both stations. Our results present a significant contribution to biogeochemical studies in the NA by focusing on the complexity of TM–OM interactions, which is a prerequisite for interpretation of their responses to local and global changes.
Collapse
|
22
|
Phytoplankton Pigments Reveal Size Structure and Interannual Variability of the Coastal Phytoplankton Community (Adriatic Sea). WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w14010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In coastal seas, a variety of environmental variables characterise the average annual pattern of the physico-chemical environment and influence the temporal and spatial variations of phytoplankton communities. The aim of this study was to track the annual and interannual variability of phytoplankton biomass in different size classes in the Gulf of Trieste (Adriatic Sea) using phytoplankton pigments. The seasonal pattern of phytoplankton size classes showed a co-dominance of the nano and micro fractions during the spring peak and a predominance of the latter during the autumn peak. The highest picoplankton values occurred during the periods with the lowest total phytoplankton biomass, with chlorophytes dominating during the colder months and cyanobacteria during the summer. The highest number of significant correlations was found between phytoplankton taxa and size classes and temperature, nitrate and nitrite. The most obvious trend observed over the time series was an increase in picoplankton in all water layers, with the most significant trend in the bottom layer. Nano- and microplankton showed greater variation in biomass, with a decrease in nanoplankton biomass in 2011 and 2012 and negative trend in microplankton biomass in the bottom layer. These results suggest that changes in trophic relationships in the pelagic food web may also have implications for biogeochemical processes in the coastal sea.
Collapse
|
23
|
Penna P, Baldrighi E, Betti M, Bolognini L, Campanelli A, Capellacci S, Casabianca S, Ferrarin C, Giuliani G, Grilli F, Intoccia M, Manini E, Moro F, Penna A, Ricci F, Marini M. Water quality integrated system: A strategic approach to improve bathing water management. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 295:113099. [PMID: 34175506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the Adriatic Sea, massive rainfall events are causing flooding of rivers and streams, with severe consequences on the environment. The consequent bacterial contamination of bathing water poses public health risks besides damaging tourism and the economy. This study was conducted in the framework of WATERCARE, an EU Interreg Italy-Croatia Project, which aims at reducing the impact of microbial contamination on Adriatic bathing water due to heavy rainfall events drained in the local sewage network and; enhancing the quality of local waters; and providing support for the decision-making processes regarding the management of bathing water in line with EU regulations. The study involved the development of an innovative water quality integrated system that helps meet these objectives. It consists of four components: a real time hydro-meteorological monitoring system; an autosampler to collect freshwater samples during and after significant rainfall events; a forecast system to simulate the dispersion of pollutants in seawater; and a real-time alert system that can predict the potential ecological risk from the microbial contamination of seawater. The system was developed and tested at a pilot site (Fano, Italy). These preliminary results will be used to develop guidelines for urban wastewater and coastal system quality assessments to contribute to develop policy actions and final governance decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Penna
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Elisa Baldrighi
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mattia Betti
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Campanelli
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Christian Ferrarin
- Institute of Marine Sciences - ISMAR, National Research Council - CNR, Venice, Italy
| | - Giordano Giuliani
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Grilli
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michele Intoccia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Manini
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Moro
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Fabio Ricci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, DISB, University of Urbino, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| | - Mauro Marini
- National Research Council - Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies - CNR IRBIM, Ancona, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, Fano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Soana E, Fano EA, Castaldelli G. The achievement of Water Framework Directive goals through the restoration of vegetation in agricultural canals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 294:113016. [PMID: 34126534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Decreasing nitrate concentrations is one of the most relevant Water Framework Directive (WFD) goals, which today is still unreached in several European countries. Vegetated canals have been recognized as effective filters to mitigate nitrate pollution, although rarely included in restoration programs aimed at improving water quality in agricultural watersheds. The Po di Volano basin (713 km2, Northern Italy) is a deltaic territory crossed by an extensive network of agricultural canals (~1300 km). The effectiveness in buffering nitrate loads via denitrification was assessed for different levels of in-stream emergent vegetation maintenance by employing an upscale model based on extensive datasets of field measurements. The scenarios differed for the canal network length (5%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) where conservative management practices were adopted by postponing the mowing operations from the middle of summer, as nowadays, to the early autumn, i.e., the vegetative season end. The scenario simulations demonstrated that the capacity to mitigate diffuse nitrate pollution would increase up to four times, compared to the current condition (5% scenario), by postponing the vegetation mowing to the end of the vegetative season in 60% of the canal network length. By preserving the in-stream vegetation in 20% of the canal network, its denitrification capacity would equal the nitrate load reduction target required for achieving, from May to September, the good ecological status according to the WFD in waters delivered to the coastal areas. Changing the timing of vegetation mowing may create a large potential for permanent nitrate removal via denitrification in agricultural landscapes, thus protecting the coastal areas when the eutrophication risk is higher. Conservative management practices of in-stream vegetation might be promoted as an effective low-cost tool to be included in the WFD implementation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Soana
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Elisa Anna Fano
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Phytoplankton Time-Series in a LTER Site of the Adriatic Sea: Methodological Approach to Decipher Community Structure and Indicative Taxa. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13152045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the shallow and landlocked northeast Adriatic Sea, environmental factors have changed in recent decades. Their influence on seasonal and inter-annual variability of phytoplankton has been documented in the recent literature. Here, we decipher the long-term variability of phytoplankton phenology at a Long-Term Ecological Research site (Gulf of Trieste, Slovenia). Structural changes in the phytoplankton community (period 2005–2017) were analysed using a multivariate protocol based on Bayesian clustering. The protocol was modified from the literature to fit the needs of the study, using correspondence analysis and k-means clustering. A novel index for ordination and selection of taxa based on frequency and evenness was developed. The Total Inertia analysis showed that this index better preserved the available information. Typical seasonal assemblages were highlighted by applying the Indicative Value index in conjunction with likelihood ratio values. We obtained a rough picture of the seasonal separation of the diatom-dominated community from the mixed community and a refined picture of the phenology of the assemblages and bloom events. The spring diatom peak proved to be inconstant and short-lived, while the autumn bloom was generally long and diverse. As expected for nearshore environments, the average life span of the assemblages was found to be short-periodic (2–4 months). The second part of the year and the last part of the series were more prone to changes in terms of typical assemblages.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kalinić H, Bilokapić Z, Matić F. Can Local Geographically Restricted Measurements Be Used to Recover Missing Geo-Spatial Data? SENSORS 2021; 21:s21103507. [PMID: 34069927 PMCID: PMC8157581 DOI: 10.3390/s21103507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The experiments conducted on the wind data provided by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts show that 1% of the data is sufficient to reconstruct the other 99% with an average amplitude error of less than 0.5 m/s and an average angular error of less than 5 degrees. In a nutshell, our method provides an approach where a portion of the data is used as a proxy to estimate the measurements over the entire domain based only on a few measurements. In our study, we compare several machine learning techniques, namely: linear regression, K-nearest neighbours, decision trees and a neural network, and investigate the impact of sensor placement on the quality of the reconstruction. While methods provide comparable results the results show that sensor placement plays an important role. Thus, we propose that intelligent location selection for sensor placement can be done using k-means, and show that this indeed leads to increase in accuracy as compared to random sensor placement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hrvoje Kalinić
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Zvonimir Bilokapić
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Frano Matić
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Orlando-Bonaca M, Pitacco V, Slavinec P, Šiško M, Makovec T, Falace A. First Restoration Experiment for Gongolaria barbata in Slovenian Coastal Waters. What Can Go Wrong? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:239. [PMID: 33530631 PMCID: PMC7911296 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The global decline of brown algal forests along rocky coasts is causing an exceptional biodiversity loss. Regardless of conservation efforts, different techniques have been developed for large-scale restoration strategies in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study we tested ex situ pilot restoration of Gongolaria barbata (=Treptacantha barbata) for the first time in Slovenian coastal waters. Healthy apical fronds of the species were collected and the development of recruits on clay tiles was followed under laboratory conditions for 20 days. Despite the experimental difficulties experienced, especially due to the lack of antibiotics to prevent the growth of the biofilm, G. barbata recruits were outplanted in the sea on two concrete plates with 48 tiles each, protected by purpose-built cages to avoid grazing by herbivorous fish. The high survival rate of juveniles after four months in the field (89% of the tiles on the plate that was constantly protected) suggests that outplanting G. barbata is an operable approach for restoration efforts in the northern Adriatic Sea. Our first experiment in Slovenian coastal waters provides new information for the optimization of the best practices during the laboratory cultivation and addresses the early steps of restoration and introduction of young thalli in the natural environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Orlando-Bonaca
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; (V.P.); (P.S.); (M.Š.); (T.M.)
| | - Valentina Pitacco
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; (V.P.); (P.S.); (M.Š.); (T.M.)
| | - Petra Slavinec
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; (V.P.); (P.S.); (M.Š.); (T.M.)
| | - Milijan Šiško
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; (V.P.); (P.S.); (M.Š.); (T.M.)
| | - Tihomir Makovec
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia; (V.P.); (P.S.); (M.Š.); (T.M.)
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Environmental Conditions and Phytoplankton Community in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12092652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
During the last century, human activities have exerted an increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems, primarily inducing their eutrophication, with a more recent partial mitigation of this phenomenon where improvements of environmental management practices were adopted. However, a reanalysis of the pressures on coastal zones and surrounding drainage basins is needed because of the alterations induced nowadays by the climate changes. A comparative analysis of long-term oceanographic and environmental data series (1986–2018) was performed, in order to highlight the effects of anthropogenic and climatic disturbances on the phytoplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste (GoT). After the 1980s, the decline in phytoplankton abundance was matched to increasing periods of low runoff, an overall deficit of the precipitation and to a decrease in phosphate availability in the coastal waters (−0.003 µmol L−1 yr−1), even in the presence of large riverine inputs of nitrogen and silicates. This trend of oligotrophication was reversed in the 2010s by the beginning of a new and unexpected phase of climatic instability, which also caused changes of the composition and seasonal cycle of the phytoplankton community. Beyond the management of nutrient loads, it was shown that climatic drivers such as seawater warming, precipitation and wind regime affect both nutrient balance and phytoplankton community in this coastal zone.
Collapse
|