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Cenov A, Linšak DT, Perić L, Žurga P, Lušić DV, Traven L, Linšak Ž, Pupavac SM, Hamer B, Pelikan J, Glad M. Acetylcholinesterase activity in muscle tissue of Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus: Importance of body size, season, sex and naturally occurring metals. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 200:116067. [PMID: 38320443 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116067] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the tail muscle tissue of wild populations of Nephrops norvegicus from the Northern Adriatic, and correlate it to body size, seasons, sex and the content of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead and copper. The animals of both sexes were collected in spring and autumn from two relatively distant fishing grounds. A marked variability of muscle AChE activity was found (0.49 to 11.22 nmol/min/mg prot.), displaying the opposite seasonal trend between two sampling sites. Small, but significant negative correlation has been found between AChE activity and carapace length (rs = - 0.35, p < 0.05). Data reported here provide an essential baseline for future studies of neurotoxicity in crustaceans. The study highlights the necessity for continuous monitoring of potentially toxic metals in edible marine species to avoid possible repercussions of seafood consumption on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijana Cenov
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dijana Tomić Linšak
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Lorena Perić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković, Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Paula Žurga
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department for Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Darija Vukić Lušić
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Luka Traven
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Željko Linšak
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sandra Marinac Pupavac
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Bojan Hamer
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, G. Paliaga 5, 52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Jadranka Pelikan
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, G. Paliaga 5, 52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Marin Glad
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Health, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Vascotto I, Bernardi Aubry F, Bastianini M, Mozetič P, Finotto S, Francé J. Exploring the mesoscale connectivity of phytoplankton periodic assemblages' succession in northern Adriatic pelagic habitats. Sci Total Environ 2024; 913:169814. [PMID: 38181959 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169814] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
An appropriate model for phytoplankton distribution patterns is critical for understanding biogeochemical cycles and trophic interactions in the oceans and seas. Because phytoplankton dynamics in coastal waters are more complex due to shallow depth and proximity to land, more accurate models applied to the correct spatial and temporal scales are needed. Our study investigates the role of the atmosphere and hydrosphere in pelagic habitat by modelling phytoplankton assemblages at two Long Term Ecological Research sites in the northern Adriatic Sea using niche-forming environmental variables (wind, temperature, salinity, river discharge, rain, and water column stratification). To study the synchronization between the phytoplankton community and these environmental variables at the two LTER sites, we applied current linear and nonlinear numerical methods for ecological modelling. The aim was to use periodic and/or non-periodic properties of the environmental variables to classify the phytoplankton assemblages at one LTER site (Gulf of Trieste - Slovenia) and then predict them at another LTER site 100 km away (Gulf of Venice - Italy). We found that periodicity played a role in the explanatory and predictive power of the environmental variables and that it was more important than non-periodic events in defining the common structure of the two pelagic habitats. The non-linear classification functions of the neural networks further increased the predictive power of these variables. We observed partial synchronization of communities at the mesoscale and differences between the original and predicted assemblages under similar environmental conditions. We conclude that mesoscale connectivity plays an important role in phytoplankton communities in the northern Adriatic. However, the loss of periodicity of niche-forming variables due to more frequent extreme meteorological and hydrological events could loosen these connections and affect the temporal succession of phytoplankton assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivano Vascotto
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Fabrizio Bernardi Aubry
- National Research Council-Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Mauro Bastianini
- National Research Council-Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Patricija Mozetič
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Stefania Finotto
- National Research Council-Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Janja Francé
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
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Alebić-Juretić A, Mifka B, Kuzmić J. Airborne desert dust in the Northern Adriatic area (Croatia): Different sources. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169320. [PMID: 38103610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169320] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
During the implementation of the INTERREG IT-HR project ECOMOBILITY, whose one of the goals was to estimate the impact of ship emissions on air quality in the port city of Rijeka (Croatia) and Venice (Italy), two particular weekly samples were collected in Rijeka, during the first and the thirteen weeks of sampling, i.e. S01 (16.10.-23.10.2018) and S13 (24.04.-30.04.2019.), respectively. Both samples have similarities regarding species characteristic for desert dust contribution, but HYSPLIT analyses excluded Saharan desert to be the source of the S01 sample. Unlike Saharan dust, this sample had a high contribution of fine and ultrafine particles (>50 % and 9.8 %, respectively), as well as secondary inorganic (sulfates, ammonium) and organic (water soluble organic compounds - WSOC) aerosols. Detailed synoptic situation and HYSPLIT backward trajectories pointed out the Syrian Desert as the source of this collected sample. The same source was proved by MERRA-2 reanalysis of the desert dust emission. Although the Saharan dust episodes, mostly in precipitation, are well known in the Northern Adriatic area, this is the first time to indicate Syrian Desert as a source of airborne particulates. This assumption was confirmed with chemical species characteristic for the Syrian Desert, i.e. higher content of potassium from K- feldspar and phosphates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alebić-Juretić
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Boris Mifka
- Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka, R. Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Josipa Kuzmić
- Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, Ravnice 48, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Gljušćić E, Bilajac A, Smith SM, Najdek M, Iveša L. First Restoration Experiment for Endemic Fucus virsoides on the Western Istrian Coast-Is It Feasible? Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:1445. [PMID: 37050071 PMCID: PMC10096662 DOI: 10.3390/plants12071445] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Fucus virsoides is an endemic species of the Mediterranean limited to the Adriatic Sea. In recent decades, it has undergone a severe regression, which is well documented in the northern Adriatic. To develop a tool for mitigating this problem, we tested the feasibility of F. virsoides restoration and designed a very simple yet effective method for ex situ cultivation and planting. We also tested the effect of positioning in the upper vs. lower intertidal on the growth of F. virsoides. After planting, the algae reached fertility in nine months, which was followed by a period of stagnation and reduction in size due to grazing and fouling. There were some differences in growth of the algae according to positioning in the intertidal at different measurement times, but that had little impact on the overall success of the restoration experiment. This represents, to our knowledge, the first successful F. virsoides ex situ cultivation and restoration attempt.
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Volf G, Atanasova N, Škerjanec M, Ožanić N. Hybrid modeling approach for the northern Adriatic watershed management. Sci Total Environ 2018; 635:353-363. [PMID: 29674260 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.094] [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: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Northern Adriatic (NA) is one of the most productive parts of the Mediterranean Sea due to vast nutrient discharges from the contributing watershed. To understand better the excess of nutrients as stressors to the state of the marine ecosystem, a hybrid modeling approach following the DPSIR framework and terminology was developed, linking: 1) the AVGWLF model for modeling the pressures, i.e. nutrients originating from the watershed caused by two major drivers (urbanization and agriculture), 2) the ML tool MTSMOTI for inducing a model tree connecting the pressures with the marine ecosystem state, and 3) the water quality index, TRIX, equation to evaluate the trophic state of the marine ecosystem. Data used for the modeling purpose comprised GIS layers (i.e., digital terrain model, land use/cover data, soil map, locations of hydro-meteorological stations and WWTPs), time series data (i.e., hydro-meteorological data and nutrient concentrations), and statistical data (i.e., number of inhabitants, connections to wastewater treatment, livestock statistics, etc.) as well as physical, chemical and biological parameters, measured at six marine water monitoring stations, located between the Po River delta (Italy) and the city of Rovinj (west Istrian coast, Croatia). Using the model, seven watershed management scenarios related to wastewater treatment and agricultural activities were evaluated for their influence on the state of the NA marine ecosystem. According to the results, the gradual implementation of the UWWTD in the last 10years contributed significantly to the preservation and improvement of the NA marine ecosystem state. However, despite the full implementation of the UWWTD, the state of the NA marine ecosystem could deteriorate in case of increased nutrient loads from agriculture. Since the UWWTD is already close to its full implementation, NA watershed management should focus on controlling agricultural activities in order to maintain 'high' state of the NA marine ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Volf
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Nataša Atanasova
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, E-17071 Girona, Spain; Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Škerjanec
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nevenka Ožanić
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Marić Pfannkuchen D, Godrijan J, Smodlaka Tanković M, Baričević A, Kužat N, Djakovac T, Pustijanac E, Jahn R, Pfannkuchen M. The Ecology of One Cosmopolitan, One Newly Introduced and One Occasionally Advected Species from the Genus Skeletonema in a Highly Structured Ecosystem, the Northern Adriatic. Microb Ecol 2018; 75:674-687. [PMID: 28951994 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-017-1069-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The diatom genus Skeletonema is globally distributed and often an important constituent of the phytoplankton community. In the marine phytoplankton of the northern Adriatic Sea, we found three species of the genus Skeletonema: Skeletonema menzelii, Skeletonema marinoi and Skeletonema grevillei. Making use of the steep ecological gradients that characterise the northern Adriatic, along which we could observe those species, we report here on the ecological circumstances under which those species thrive and how their respective populations are globally connected. This is the first detailed ecological study for the species S. grevillei. This study is also the first report for S. grevillei for the Adriatic Sea and Mediterranean together with additional electron microscopic details on fresh in situ samples for this species. S. marinoi appears to clearly prefer strong freshwater influence and high nutrient concentrations delivered by low salinity waters. It can outcompete other diatom species and dominate microphytoplankton blooms. S. grevillei on the other hand appears to thrive in high nutrient concentrations triggered by water column mixing. It also appears to prefer higher salinity waters and coastal embayments. Genetic analysis of S. grevillei demonstrated a peculiar dissimilarity with isolates from coastal waters off Yemen, India, Oman and China. However, a closely related sequence was isolated from coastal waters off Japan. These results indicate that S. grevillei is an introduced species, possibly transported by ballast waters. S. menzelii is a sporadic visitor in the northern Adriatic, advected from rather oligotrophic middle Adriatic waters and never dominates the phytoplankton community in the northern Adriatic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jelena Godrijan
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mirta Smodlaka Tanković
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, G. Paliaga 5, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Ana Baričević
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, G. Paliaga 5, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Nataša Kužat
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, G. Paliaga 5, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Tamara Djakovac
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, G. Paliaga 5, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Emina Pustijanac
- Department for Natural and Health Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, HR-52100, Pula, Croatia
| | - Regina Jahn
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin-Dahlem, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str.6-8, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Pfannkuchen
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, G. Paliaga 5, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia.
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Pitacco V, Lipej L, Mavrič B, Mistri M, Munari C. Comparison of benthic indices for the evaluation of ecological status of three Slovenian transitional water bodies ( northern Adriatic). Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 129:813-821. [PMID: 29100635 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.085] [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: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Benthic indicators are important tools for the classification of coastal and transitional water bodies. The aim of the work was to assess for the first time the Environmental Status (ES) of Slovenian transitional waters, comparing the following biotic indices: richness, Shannon-Weaver diversity, AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX and BITS indices. A total of 13 stations were sampled with a Van Veen grab, in three ecosystems in the northern Adriatic. Samples were sieved and sorted, invertebrates identified and counted. The anthropogenic impact was estimated with professional judgement. Richness and diversity showed a good response to anthropogenic pressure. Conversely, indices based on sensitivity/tolerance groups did not showed a clear distinction between more and less impacted ecosystems. In particular BENTIX underestimated the ES, while with BITS there was a overestimation. The best evaluation was obtained with M-AMBI, because even if based on a sensitivity/tolerance approach, it considered also the structural aspect of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Pitacco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lovrenc Lipej
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 61, 6630 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Borut Mavrič
- Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 61, 6630 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Michele Mistri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Cristina Munari
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Faganeli J, Falnoga I, Horvat M, Klun K, Lipej L, Mazej D. Selenium and Mercury Interactions in Apex Predators from the Gulf of Trieste ( Northern Adriatic Sea). Nutrients 2018; 10:E278. [PMID: 29495604 PMCID: PMC5872696 DOI: 10.3390/nu10030278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the environmental levels of selenium (Se) can moderate the bioaccumulation and toxicity of mercury (Hg) in marine organisms, their interactions were studied in seawater, sediments, plankton and the benthic (Bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus, Eagle ray Myliobatis aquila) and the pelagic (Pelagic stingray Dasyiatis violacea) rays, as apex predators in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). Male and female rays showed no difference in the Se contents in muscle tissue. Pelagic species contained higher Se levels in muscle but slightly lower levels in the livers of both genders. The Hg/Se ratios in seawater dissolved and colloidal fractions, plankton and sediment were <0.5, while those in particulate matter were <1.3. In benthic ray species, a parallel increase in Se and Hg in muscle was observed, so that an increased in Hg (MeHg) bioaccumulation results in Se coaccumulation. The Hg/Se ratios (molar) in muscle and liver of pelagic and benthic rays were <1.4 and <0.7, respectively. The low levels of Hg in muscle and liver in all the ray species corresponded to low Hg/Se ratios and increases in muscle and liver to 1 at 7 µg/g, dry weight (dw) and 5 µg/g dw, respectively, i.e., about 1.6 µg/g wet weight (ww).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadran Faganeli
- Marine Biological Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace, 41 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova, 39 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova, 39 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biological Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace, 41 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Lovrenc Lipej
- Marine Biological Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace, 41 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department Environmental Sciences, Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova, 39 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Dautović J, Vojvodić V, Tepić N, Ćosović B, Ciglenečki I. Dissolved organic carbon as potential indicator of global change: A long-term investigation in the northern Adriatic. Sci Total Environ 2017; 587-588:185-195. [PMID: 28242218 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an essential component of the biogeochemical marine system, effecting biological and chemical reactions that take place in the sea. DOC represents a dynamic component of the global carbon cycle. This paper reports 25years of measurements of DOC content and distribution at seven stations along the transect Po River delta - Rovinj in the northern Adriatic (NA). The results show strong temporal and spatial variability: (1) The highest average DOC concentrations were observed in 1998 and 2002 (143μmol/L and 137μmol/L, respectively); (2) The minimum average DOC was recorded in 2006 (88μmol/L) and (3) The short-term DOC accumulation (up to 203, average 102μmol/L) for the years 2009 to 2012, was observed during the summer and autumn months followed by unusually low DOC concentrations during the winter and spring. The DOC results from the more recent monitoring at the same stations indicate primarily oligotrophic characteristics of the NA seawater (88μmol/L). The results of DOC variability and distribution in the NA appears to be strongly influenced by complex circulation patterns. This paper provides a "link" between the Ionian circulation and the NA ecosystem as a part of the recently identified Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System (BiOS). A good agreement between the BiOS oscillation and other variables related to the DOC concentration, like the NA A and B winter types, the Po River discharge, salinity, chlorophyll a, occurrence of hypoxic-anoxic conditions, eutrophication and oligotrophication, suggests that DOC might be a good tool and indicator of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Dautović
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vjeročka Vojvodić
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nataša Tepić
- National Center for External Evaluation of Education, Ulica D. Tomljenovića 11, 10020 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Ćosović
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Irena Ciglenečki
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Cozzi S, Mistaro A, Sparnocchia S, Colugnati L, Bajt O, Toniatti L. Anthropogenic loads and biogeochemical role of urea in the Gulf of Trieste. Sci Total Environ 2014; 493:271-281. [PMID: 24951885 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess the role of urea in the Gulf of Trieste, oceanographic data collected from 2002 to 2011 were analyzed together with ancillary ambient information and compared to past studies. The recent levels of urea found in these coastal waters (median = 1.1 μM N, maximum value = 19.7 μM N) are often high and similar to those reported in the early 1980s. A preliminary estimate of the external inputs indicated that this enrichment in urea is mainly due to emissions from urban sewage systems, whereas the contributions of rivers and atmospheric deposition are scarce. As a consequence, urea appears to be a reliable tracer of the diffusion of wastewaters in the coastal marine environment, more specific and sensitive than other nutrients, with a behavior that also reflects the technology of the treatment plants. The stability of urea levels over the last three decades suggests that the upgrade of wastewater treatment technologies was probably balanced by the concomitant increase of the anthropogenic pressure in the area (477,000 to 1,300,000 inhabitant equivalent). Budget estimates on the gulf-wide scale indicate that urea (177-530 t N) is not negligible compared to dissolved inorganic nitrogen (409-919 t N) and that it can constitute up to 56% of the nitrogen available for plankton growth. A large accumulation of urea can occur during summer periods characterized by stable weather conditions and weak circulation, whereas a biologically mediated degradation to ammonium is observed in autumn in concomitance to a strong shift of the marine ecosystem toward heterotrophic conditions. These processes, together with a potential competition between phytoplankton and bacteria for the utilization of this nitrogen form, suggest that the biogeochemical role of urea should be better investigated in mid-latitude coastal zones subjected to highly variable ambient conditions and to overloads of this compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cozzi
- CNR-ISMAR, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Trieste, Viale Romolo Gessi 2, 34123 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mistaro
- ARPA-FVG, Laboratorio Unico Regionale, Sede di Trieste, Via Alessandro Lamarmora 13, 34139 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Stefania Sparnocchia
- CNR-ISMAR, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Trieste, Viale Romolo Gessi 2, 34123 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Luigi Colugnati
- ARPA-FVG, Laboratorio Unico Regionale, Sede di Trieste, Via Alessandro Lamarmora 13, 34139 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Oliver Bajt
- NIB-MBS, National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Loredana Toniatti
- ARPA-FVG, Laboratorio Unico Regionale, Sede di Trieste, Via Alessandro Lamarmora 13, 34139 Trieste, Italy.
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Bressan M, Chinellato A, Munari M, Matozzo V, Manci A, Marčeta T, Finos L, Moro I, Pastore P, Badocco D, Marin MG. Does seawater acidification affect survival, growth and shell integrity in bivalve juveniles? Mar Environ Res 2014; 99:136-148. [PMID: 24836120 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide are leading to decreases in pH and changes in the carbonate chemistry of seawater. Ocean acidification may negatively affect the ability of marine organisms to produce calcareous structures while also influencing their physiological responses and growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of reduced pH on the survival, growth and shell integrity of juveniles of two marine bivalves from the Northern Adriatic sea: the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the striped venus clam Chamelea gallina. An outdoor flow-through plant was set up and two pH levels (natural seawater pH as a control, pH 7.4 as the treatment) were tested in long-term experiments. Mortality was low throughout the first experiment for both mussels and clams, but a significant increase, which was sensibly higher in clams, was observed at the end of the experiment (6 months). Significant decreases in the live weight (-26%) and, surprisingly, in the shell length (-5%) were observed in treated clams, but not in mussels. In the controls of both species, no shell damage was ever recorded; in the treated mussels and clams, damage proceeded via different modes and to different extents. The severity of shell injuries was maximal in the mussels after just 3 months of exposure to a reduced pH, whereas it progressively increased in clams until the end of the experiment. In shells of both species, the damaged area increased throughout the experiment, peaking at 35% in mussels and 11% in clams. The shell thickness of the treated and control animals significantly decreased after 3 months in clams and after 6 months in mussels. In the second experiment (3 months), only juvenile mussels were exposed to a reduced pH. After 3 months, the mussels at a natural pH level or pH 7.4 did not differ in their survival, shell length or live weight. Conversely, shell damage was clearly visible in the treated mussels from the 1st month onward. Monitoring the chemistry of seawater carbonates always showed aragonite undersaturation at 7.4 pH, whereas calcite undersaturation occurred in only 37% of the measurements. The present study highlighted the contrasting effects of acidification in two bivalve species living in the same region, although not exactly in the same habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bressan
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - A Chinellato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M Munari
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - V Matozzo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - A Manci
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - T Marčeta
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - L Finos
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Via C. Battisti 241, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - I Moro
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - P Pastore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - D Badocco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - M G Marin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
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