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Sbrana A, Maiello G, Gravina MF, Cicala D, Galli S, Stefani M, Russo T. Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals the effects of seafloor litter and trawling on marine biodiversity. Mar Environ Res 2024; 196:106415. [PMID: 38395681 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are emerging as promising tools for monitoring marine communities. However, they have not been applied to study the integrated effects of anthropogenic pressures on marine biodiversity. This study examined the relationships between demersal community species composition, key environmental features, and anthropogenic impacts such as fishing effort and seafloor litter using eDNA data in the central Tyrrhenian Sea. The results indicated that both fishing effort and seafloor litter influenced species composition and diversity. The adaptive traits of marine species played a critical role in their response to debris accumulation and fishing. Mobile species appeared to use relocation strategies, while sessile species showed flexibility in the face of disturbance. Epibiotic species relied on passive transport. The use of eDNA-based methods is a valuable resource for monitoring anthropogenic impacts during scientific surveys, enhancing our ability to monitor marine ecosystems and more effectively assess the effects of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Sbrana
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture - Department of Biology - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; PhD program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Maiello
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, L33AF, Liverpool, UK
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture - Department of Biology - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Cicala
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture - Department of Biology - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Galli
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Stefani
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture - Department of Biology - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; PhD program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture - Department of Biology - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Rome, Italy; CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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2
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Longo C, Trani R, Nonnis Marzano C, Mercurio M, Lazic T, Cotugno P, Santobianchi E, Gravina MF. Anti-fouling activity and toxicity of the Mediterranean alien sponge Paraleucilla magna Klautau, Monteiro & Borojevic, 2004 (Porifera, Calcarea). PeerJ 2021; 9:e12279. [PMID: 34733587 PMCID: PMC8544254 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Poriferans, as sessile organisms without rigid external covering, use secondary metabolites for protection from predators and fouling organisms. The present study tested the antifouling activity of ethanolic extract of the Mediterranean alien calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna towards juvenile mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. Furthermore, toxicity tests on nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia salina and two microalgae strains, Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis suecica, were also conducted. A total attachment inhibition of M. galloprovincialis was achieved at a concentration of 400 µg/mL of sponge extract. The 50% mortality of A. salina nauplii was recorded at a concentration of 500 µg/mL of ethanolic extract. The growth inhibitory effect on both marine microalgae strains has been registered at a concentration of 300 µg/mL. Our results suggest promising natural antifouling activity and low toxicity of the ethanolic extract of P. magna that could be used as antifouling compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Longo
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Trani
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Nonnis Marzano
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Mercurio
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Tamara Lazic
- Department of Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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3
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Cardone F, Corriero G, Longo C, Mercurio M, Onen Tarantini S, Gravina MF, Lisco S, Moretti M, De Giosa F, Giangrande A, Nonnis Marzano C, Pierri C. Massive bioconstructions built by Neopycnodonte cochlear (Mollusca, Bivalvia) in a mesophotic environment in the central Mediterranean Sea. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6337. [PMID: 32286422 PMCID: PMC7156399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper provides a multidisciplinary fine-scale description of a Mediterranean mesophotic new habitat dominated by the bivalve Neopycnodonte cochlear (Poli, 1795), building large and thick pinnacles on vertical cliffs at two study areas along the southern Italian coast. The pinnacles, constituted by a multilayered aggregation of living and dead specimens of N. cochlear, were interconnected with each other to form a framework of high structural complexity, never observed before for this species. The bioconstruction, considerably extended, resulted very complex and diversified in the associated community of structuring organisms. This latter included 165 taxa attributable to different ecological groups occurring in different microhabitats of the bioconstruction. Among the secondary structuring taxa there were scleractinians, serpulids and bryozoans, all contributing to the deposition of calcium carbonate, and poriferans, helping to bind shells together or eroding carbonate by boring species. In comparison with coralligenous sensu stricto and the recently described Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef, the Neopycnodonte bioconstruction showed peculiar features, since it lacked the major contribution of encrusting coralline algae and scleractinians as reef builders, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frine Cardone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corriero
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Caterina Longo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Mercurio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Senem Onen Tarantini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica s.n.c. 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Lisco
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Massimo Moretti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco De Giosa
- Environmental Surveys S.r.l. (ENSU), Via de Gasperi - 74123, Taranto, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni - 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Carlotta Nonnis Marzano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy. .,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9 - 00196, Roma, Italy.
| | - Cataldo Pierri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy.,Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri (CNR-IRET), Via Salaria km 29.300 - 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Roma, Italy
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4
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Corriero G, Pierri C, Mercurio M, Nonnis Marzano C, Onen Tarantini S, Gravina MF, Lisco S, Moretti M, De Giosa F, Valenzano E, Giangrande A, Mastrodonato M, Longo C, Cardone F. A Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef built by non-symbiotic scleractinians. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3601. [PMID: 30837650 PMCID: PMC6401148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This is the first description of a Mediterranean mesophotic coral reef. The bioconstruction extended for 2.5 km along the Italian Adriatic coast in the bathymetric range -30/-55 m. It appeared as a framework of coral blocks mostly built by two scleractinians, Phyllangia americana mouchezii (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897) and Polycyathus muellerae (Abel, 1959), which were able to edify a secondary substrate with high structural complexity. Scleractinian corallites were cemented by calcified polychaete tubes and organized into an interlocking meshwork that provided the reef stiffness. Aggregates of several individuals of the bivalve Neopycnodonte cochlear (Poli, 1795) contributed to the compactness of the structure. The species composition of the benthic community showed a marked similarity with those described for Mediterranean coralligenous communities and it appeared to be dominated by invertebrates, while calcareous algae, which are usually considered the main coralligenous reef-builders, were poorly represented. Overall, the studied reef can be considered a unique environment, to be included in the wide and diversified category of Mediterranean bioconstructions. The main reef-building scleractinians lacked algal symbionts, suggesting that heterotrophy had a major role in the metabolic processes that supported the production of calcium carbonate. The large amount of available suspended organic matter in the area could be the main nutritional source for these species, as already suggested in the literature referred to Mediterranean cold-water corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Corriero
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Cataldo Pierri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy. .,Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri (CNR-IRET), Via Salaria km. 29.300 - 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Roma, Italy.
| | - Maria Mercurio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlotta Nonnis Marzano
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Senem Onen Tarantini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica s.n.c, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Lisco
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Massimo Moretti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco De Giosa
- Environmental Surveys S.r.l. (ENSU), Via de Gasperi, 74123, Taranto, Italy
| | - Eliana Valenzano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento. Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Mastrodonato
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Longo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
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5
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Bonifazi A, Lezzi M, Ventura D, Lisco S, Cardone F, Gravina MF. Macrofaunal biodiversity associated with different developmental phases of a threatened Mediterranean Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reef. Mar Environ Res 2019; 145:97-111. [PMID: 30850118 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sabellaria alveolata is an ecosystem engineer species capable of building bioconstructions, playing a key functional role in the shallow coastal ecosystems. S. alveolata reefs perform several ecosystem services, such as hosting a rich fauna and producing structures able to provide coastal protection. Despite their ecological role, these bioconstructions have been poorly investigated in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, the largest Mediterranean S. alveolata reef, located along the Latium coast, was recorded and an habitat mapping duly carried out. During a one-year study, the balance between reef status and associated fauna was investigated using a multidisciplinary approach, the different phases in the annual cycle of S. alveolata were detected and the reef's influence on the diversity of associated macrofauna was assessed. The retrograding phase was detected in September, due to the damages by trampling disturbance, while the growing phase began in March. The comparison with the fauna of the adjacent substrates was also performed, demonstrating that the reef supported a high diversity of associated fauna and qualifying the reef as a biodiversity hotspot. Aimed at improving knowledge of Mediterranean reefs, our study lays the basis for more effective management plans and protection strategies for the threatened biogenic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonifazi
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Lezzi
- ARPAT, Environmental Protection Agency of Tuscany, A.V. Costa - Laboratory Sector - U.O. Biologia, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Ventura
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", V. le dell'Università 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Lisco
- Department of Earth and Geoenvironmentals Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", CoNISMA Unit, Via Orabona 4, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
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6
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Ingrosso G, Abbiati M, Badalamenti F, Bavestrello G, Belmonte G, Cannas R, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Bertolino M, Bevilacqua S, Bianchi CN, Bo M, Boscari E, Cardone F, Cattaneo-Vietti R, Cau A, Cerrano C, Chemello R, Chimienti G, Congiu L, Corriero G, Costantini F, De Leo F, Donnarumma L, Falace A, Fraschetti S, Giangrande A, Gravina MF, Guarnieri G, Mastrototaro F, Milazzo M, Morri C, Musco L, Pezzolesi L, Piraino S, Prada F, Ponti M, Rindi F, Russo GF, Sandulli R, Villamor A, Zane L, Boero F. Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast. Adv Mar Biol 2018; 79:61-136. [PMID: 30012277 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ingrosso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Beni Culturali (DBC), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Genuario Belmonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Bertolino
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stanislao Bevilacqua
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Boscari
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cerrano
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Renato Chemello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Chimienti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Congiu
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corriero
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Costantini
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Francesco De Leo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Donnarumma
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guarnieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mastrototaro
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Milazzo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzolesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Prada
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ponti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio Russo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Sandulli
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Villamor
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zane
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Boero
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Genova, Italy
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Colozza N, Gravina MF, Amendola L, Rosati M, Akretche DE, Moscone D, Arduini F. A miniaturized bismuth-based sensor to evaluate the marine organism Styela plicata bioremediation capacity toward heavy metal polluted seawater. Sci Total Environ 2017; 584-585:692-700. [PMID: 28129904 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium and lead are highly toxic heavy metals which cause a severe worldwide pollution. In addition to the toxic effect produced by the direct exposure, they can be bioconcentrated and accumulated in living organisms, including humans. Herein, a miniaturized and disposable electrochemical sensor was improved for the simultaneous detection of cadmium and lead ions to study the bioremediation of polluted seawater in presence of the filter-feeding marine organism Styela plicata. A screen-printed electrode modified in situ with a bismuth film was selected using the anodic stripping analysis as detection technique. This sensor was coupled with a portable potentiostat and the detection of cadmium and lead ions was carried out by Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, allowing the simultaneous detection of both heavy metals at ppb level (LOD=0.3ppb for lead, 1.5ppb for cadmium). This analytical tool was then applied to assess the bioremediation capacity of S. plicata through a bioremediation experiment, in which the organism has been exposed to seawater artificially polluted with 1000ppb of Cd2+ and Pb2+. The matrix effect of both seawater and acid digested biological samples was evaluated. A bioconcentration phenomenon was observed for both heavy metals through the analysis of S. plicata tissues. In details, Pb2+ resulted to be about 2.5 times more bioconcentrated than Cd2+, giving an effective bioremediation level in seawater of 13% and 40% for Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Thus, our results demonstrate the capability of S. plicata to bioremediate Cd2+ and Pb2+ polluted seawater as well as the suitability of the electrochemical sensor for contaminated marine environment monitoring and bioremediation evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Colozza
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Amendola
- ArpaLazio, Via Giuseppe Saredo 52, 00173 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Djamal Eddine Akretche
- Laboratory of Hydrometallurgy and Inorganic Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, USTHB, BP32, El-Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Danila Moscone
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Arduini
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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8
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Stabili L, Licciano M, Gravina MF, Giangrande A. Filtering activity on a pure culture of Vibrio alginolyticus by the solitary ascidian Styela plicata and the colonial ascidian Polyandrocarpa zorritensis: a potential service to improve microbiological seawater quality economically. Sci Total Environ 2016; 573:11-18. [PMID: 27552728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated and compared, by laboratory experiments, the filter-feeding activity on bacteria by the solitary ascidian Styela plicata and the colonial ascidian Polyandrocarpa zorritensis. Clearance rates and retention efficiencies were estimated by using, as only food source, the bacterial species Vibrio alginolyticus selected on account of its importance in aquaculture pathogenicity. The Cmax was 1.4±0.17Lh-1g-1 DW for S. plicata and 1.745Lh-1g-1 DW for P. zorritensis. The highest retention efficiency was 41% corresponding to a removed bacterial biomass of 16.34+1.71 μgCL-1g-1 DW for P. zorritensis and 81% corresponding to a bacterial biomass of 32.28+2.15 μgCL-1g-1 DW for S. plicata. Styela plicata resulted higher efficient than P. zorritensis in removing V. alginolyticus from seawater in experimental tanks, thus representing a more suitable biofilter to restore the quality of microbiologically contaminated waters including those where aquaculture is practiced. Present laboratory experiments represent the first contribution to the comparison of the filtration activity of the two ascidians, as well as to characterize the filtration process on bacterioplankton and pone the basis for future field works aimed to restore bacteriological polluted seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Stabili
- Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero - Sezione di Taranto - CNR, Via Roma 3, 74100-Taranto, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, Via Prov. Lecce-Monteroni, 73100-Lecce, Italy.
| | - Margherita Licciano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, Via Prov. Lecce-Monteroni, 73100-Lecce, Italy.
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc 00133, Roma.
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, Via Prov. Lecce-Monteroni, 73100-Lecce, Italy.
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9
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Foti A, Fenzi GA, Di Pippo F, Gravina MF, Magni P. Testing the saprobity hypothesis in a Mediterranean lagoon: effects of confinement and organic enrichment on benthic communities. Mar Environ Res 2014; 99:85-94. [PMID: 24838081 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The macrobenthic community was compared at four sites characterized by varying degrees of freshwater input, organic enrichment and confinement in the Cabras lagoon (Sardinia, Italy). Three sites, riverine (C1), confined (C2) and seaward (C3), were studied on two dates of summer 2010 and on two dates of winter 2011. A fourth site (C12), representative of the central sector of the Cabras lagoon, was included in this study using the extensive historical datasets at our disposal from previously published work. We aimed to test the hypothesis that (1) the benthos is distributed according to the recently proposed concept of habitat saprobity for coastal lagoons that unifies the Pearson-Rosenberg (sensu organic enrichment) and Guélorget-Perthuisot (sensu confinement) models, and (2) indicator species of different saprobic levels can be identified among dominant species occurring along the saprobity gradient. Salinity was also considered as an additional agent of selection in brackish environments. Irrespective of significant seasonal changes within each site, our results highlighted major environmental and biotic differences between sites. At the northward riverine site (C1), most affected by freshwater input and with limited organic matter (OM) enrichment, Corophium orientale was the single dominant species. The most confined site (C2) was characterized by the highest levels of sedimentary OM and benthic Chlorophyll-a and by mesohaline conditions; the site was inhabited mainly by the halolimnobic Hediste diversicolor and Hydrobia spp. Site C12, characterized by a high OM load and high residence time, was dominated by the opportunistic detritivorous Alitta succinea and Polydora ciliata. At the southernmost seaward site (C3) the considerable seawater renewal, resulting in high salinity (only in summer) and limited OM load, favored a much more diverse macrobenthic assemblage, essentially composed of both marine species, such as Corophium insidiosum, Gammarus aequicauda, and brackish-water species, such as Lekanesphaera hookeri and Idotea chelipes. We conclude that the biotic and abiotic characteristics of the Cabras lagoon can be represented by a succession of spatial zones along two main gradients determined by salinity and saprobity. The salinity gradient proved to be the main structural feature in the oligohaline pole, while in the range of variable salinity, saprobity appeared to be the main selection factor. To illustrate our findings, we provide a graphical representation summarizing the changes in environmental parameters and indicator species along the salinity and saprobity gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Foti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - G A Fenzi
- CNR-IAMC, National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170 Oristano, Italy
| | - F Di Pippo
- CNR-IAMC, National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170 Oristano, Italy; CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Water Research Institute, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29, Monterotondo stazione, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - M F Gravina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - P Magni
- CNR-IAMC, National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170 Oristano, Italy; CNR-ISMAR, National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science, Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy.
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Abstract
Differential stillbirth rates as a function of birth-weight have been studied in all single births in Italy in the years, 1954, 1961, 1967 and 1974. In the course of the twenty year interval of observation the following changes were found: (i) a progressive equalization of mortality in birth-weight classes near the mean; (ii) a reduction of the directional component of selection which is parallel to the increase of mean birth-weight (in the case of 8 months of pregnancy); (iii) a reduction of the stabilizing component of selection which is parallel to the decrease of birth-weight variance (in the case of 9 months of pregnancy); (iv) a reduction of selection intensity, while selective mortality remains more or less unchanged. The modifications of natural selection associated with birth-weight as consequence of health care progress in this population are also discussed.
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Abstract
The differences of birth-weight distributions before and after selection by the different components of perinatal mortality were studied for all single babies born in Italy in 1974. It was found that: (i) In mature babies the selection is mainly stabilizing while the directional type is almost negligible. (ii) In immature babies both stabilizing and directional selection are at work, greatly modifying the birth weight distributions.
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Terrenato L, Gravina MF, Ulizzi L. Natural selection associated with birth weight. I. Selection intensity and selective deaths from birth to one month of life. Ann Hum Genet 1981; 45:55-63. [PMID: 7198425 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1981.tb00306.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Differential mortality as a function of birth weight was studied up to the 4th week of life in all single births in Italy in 1974. It was found that: (i) Both selection intensity and selective mortality are much higher with increasing immaturity. (ii) For babies born at term or after 8 months of pregnancy selection intensity tends to relax as early as one week after birth, while for those born after 7 months selection is at work for a longer period. (iii) Selective mortality, on the other hand, keeps increasing after birth but its relevance is relatively decreasing since average mortality after birth continues to decrease.
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