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Carlucci R, Cipriano G, Cascione D, Ingrosso M, Barbone E, Ungaro N, Ricci P. Influence of hydraulic clam dredging and seasonal environmental changes on macro-benthic communities in the Southern Adriatic (Central Mediterranean Sea). BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:3. [PMID: 38178027 PMCID: PMC10768236 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Macro-benthic communities on the shallowest soft bottoms are impacted by hydraulic dredgers used for the harvesting of the striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina). Changes in macro-benthic assemblages were analysed across four areas in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) during the winter and summer 2022 (low and high fishing pressures, respectively). Two sampling surveys were carried out collecting abundance data (N/100m2) of 69 species. Diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner and Equitability) were calculated and differences between seasons and areas were tested using non-parametric tests. Changes in the assemblage and feeding habits were explored by adopting permutational multivariate analysis of variance on 34 species. Moreover, environmental conditions of all areas in the two seasons were characterized by a set of 8 variables. Seasonal changes in diversity were only detected for the Shannon-Weiner index, with values significantly higher in winter than summer. Macro-benthic assemblages differed between the two seasons, and the winter assemblages were well-distinct in each area. In contrast, a high overlap was shown in the summer assemblages of the four areas. Changes in feeding habits showed an increase in filter feeding polychaetes and opportunistic/scavenger species during the summer. Temperature, Salinity and primary production were positively correlated to summer stations indicating potential thermic stress on the assemblages. The results provide information on the benthic community impacted by dredge disturbance and seasonal changes driven by environmental conditions, stressing the need to integrate these aspects in assessments on the health status of marine ecosystems required by European directives and fishery management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Carlucci
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- CoNISMa, P.le Flaminio, 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center for Coastal Dynamics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Cipriano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
- CoNISMa, P.le Flaminio, 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Cascione
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ingrosso
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enrico Barbone
- Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency of Puglia Region, Scientific Direction U.O.C. Natural Environment - Regional Sea Centre, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Ungaro
- Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency of Puglia Region, Scientific Direction U.O.C. Natural Environment - Regional Sea Centre, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Ricci
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- CoNISMa, P.le Flaminio, 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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Ferraro A, Marino E, Trancone G, Race M, Mali M, Pontoni L, Fabbricino M, Spasiano D, Fratino U. Assessment of environmental parameters effect on potentially toxic elements mobility in foreshore sediments to support marine-coastal contamination prediction. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115338. [PMID: 37516094 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115338] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) presence in marine sediments can significantly affect the environmental quality and negatively influence economy and recreational activities in related areas. Accordingly, contamination monitoring and control in the marine environment is a fundamental task. In this work, four PTEs behavior (i.e. As, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in sandy foreshore sediments (SFSs) was thoroughly investigated at different pH, redox potential and temperature conditions of the marine water. For all the tests, the released As was 2.7-6 times higher than its initial concentration in water. Nonetheless, final mass balances showed that preferential release in the liquid phase occurred for Pb and Hg (up to 10 % and 9.1 %, respectively). Moreover, final Zn and Hg content increase in SFSs labile fractions indicated their higher bioavailability after the tests. The obtained results outline an approach useful to predict the contaminants behavior in marine matrices and support environmental monitoring and preservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferraro
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Marino
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Claudio 21, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Gennaro Trancone
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Claudio 21, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Marco Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via di Biasio 43, Cassino 03043, Italy
| | - Matilda Mali
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Ludovico Pontoni
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Claudio 21, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Fabbricino
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Claudio 21, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Danilo Spasiano
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - Umberto Fratino
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
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Tlig N, Boye M, Hallek T, Burckel P, Gzam M, Tagorti MA. Sediment quality and environmental risk assessment in a Mediterranean coastal system using geochemical and multivariate statistical analyses: the case of Boughrara Lagoon (southeastern Tunisia). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:422. [PMID: 36811658 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11029-8] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are the most vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic pressures which should be assessed using various chemical and ecological indicators. Our study aims to provide practical monitoring of anthropogenic pressures related to metal discharges in coastal waters for identifying potential ecological deterioration. The spatial variability of various chemical elements concentrations and their main sources were determined in the surficial sediments of a Mediterranean coastal area submitted to high anthropogenic pressure, the semi-enclosed Boughrara Lagoon located in southeastern Tunisia, by conducting several geochemical and multi-elemental analyses. The grain size and the geochemical analyses both suggested a marine influence of the sediment inputs in the north of the area (near Ajim channel), whereas continental and aeolian features dominated the sedimentary inputs in the southwestern lagoon. This last area was also characterized by the highest concentrations of metals, in particular Pb (4.45-173.33 ppm), Mn (68.45-1469.27 ppm), Cu (7.64-134.26 ppm), Zn (28.74-244.79 ppm), Cd (0.11-2.23 ppm), Fe (0.5-4.9%), and Al (0.7-3.2%). By referring to background crustal values and the contamination factor calculations (CF), the lagoon is considered as highly polluted for Cd, Pb, and Fe (3 < CF < 6). Three possible sources of pollution were identified: phosphogypsum effluents (P, Al, Cu, and Cd), the ex-Pb mine (Pb and Zn), and the cliff weathering and streams input from the red clay quarry (Fe). Furthermore, pyrite precipitation was identified for the first time in the Boughrara lagoon, suggesting the occurrence of anoxic conditions in this lagoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejia Tlig
- University of Gabes, Faculty of Science of Gabes, Research Laboratory of Geo-Systems, Geo-Resources and Geo-Environments LR21ES05, Gabes, 6072, Tunisia.
| | - Marie Boye
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (CNRS UMR7154), Université de Paris Cité, 1 Rue Jussieu, Paris, 75238 cedex 05, France
| | - Tahani Hallek
- University of Gabes, Faculty of Science of Gabes, Research Laboratory of Geo-Systems, Geo-Resources and Geo-Environments LR21ES05, Gabes, 6072, Tunisia
| | - Pierre Burckel
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (CNRS UMR7154), Université de Paris Cité, 1 Rue Jussieu, Paris, 75238 cedex 05, France
| | - Maher Gzam
- University of Gabes, Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques of Gabes, Research Unit of Applied Hydrosciences, UR13ES81, Gabes, 6072, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ali Tagorti
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Minerals Resources and Environment Laboratory, LR01ES06, Tunis, 2092, Tunisia
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