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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Bernardini G, Barsotti F, Fulignati S, Raspolli Galletti AM, Lardicci C. Beach-cast seagrass wrack: A natural marine resource improving the establishment of dune plant communities under a changing climate. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 201:116270. [PMID: 38520997 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116270] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Seagrass wrack plays multiple ecological roles in coastal habitats but is often removed from beaches and used for economical processing, neglecting its potential role in sustaining dune plant establishment under changing climate scenarios. Rainwater shortage is a major stress for seedlings and reduced precipitations are expected in some coastal areas. We investigated in mesocosm how wrack influenced seedling performance of Cakile maritima, Thinopyrum junceum, and Calamagrostis arenaria under current and reduced precipitation. We also assessed wrack water holding capacity and leachate chemical/physical properties. Wrack stimulated seedling growth while reduced precipitation decreased root development. Wrack mitigated the effects of reduced precipitation on T. junceum and C. arenaria biomass. Wrack retained water up to five-fold its weight, increased water pH, conductivity, and nutrient content. Wrack promotes dune colonization by vegetation even under rainwater shortage. Thus, the maintenance of this natural resource on beaches is critical for improving dune resilience against climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giada Bernardini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Barsotti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Fulignati
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Corti S, Arena B, Protano G, Corsi I, Lardicci C. Effects of TiO 2 ultraviolet filter and sunscreens on coastal dune plant performance and competitive interactions. Chemosphere 2023; 343:140236. [PMID: 37739133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140236] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet filters (UVFs) added to sunscreens (SS) are emerging contaminants in marine environments due to their adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. UVFs have also been detected in beach-dune systems, but their influence on resident organisms has not been explored yet. Native plants are fundamental components of coastal dunes, and these ecologically/economically important systems are currently among the most threatened globally. Thus, understanding whether UVFs may act as threats to dune plants is crucial. This field study evaluated and compared the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2), one of the inorganic UVFs most commonly added to sunscreens, and those of a commercial sunscreen product containing it (SS-nTiO2) on the performance of adult dune plants of a native (Thinopyrum junceum) and a non-native invasive species (Carpobrotus sp. pl.) and their competitive interactions at environmentally realistic concentrations. The effects of nTiO2, SS-nTiO2 and of a sunscreen product containing just organic UVFs (SS-OF) on early life stages of T. junceum were also examined. Ti bulk content in sand and plants at the study site ranged from 970 to 1069 mg kg-1 and from 2 to 7.9 mg kg-1, respectively. Thinopyrum junceum adult plants periodically exposed during the summer season to seawater contaminated by SS-nTiO2 produced less biomass than un-exposed plants and nTiO2 exposed plants. nTiO2 and SS-nTiO2 reduced the capacity of T. junceum to control the spread of Carpobrotus. Both SS-nTiO2 and SS-OF reduced seedling emergence in T. junceum whereas nTiO2 did not. These results demonstrated that the periodical exposures of native dune plants to sunscreens could reduce their establishment success and growth and favor invasive plant spread potentially resulting in community structure changes. They also emphasize the need to assess the phytotoxicity not only of single UVFs but especially that of complete sunscreen products to design more eco-friendly formulations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Corti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benito Arena
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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3
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Giommoni F, Vannini C, Lardicci C. Plastic litter changes the rhizosphere bacterial community of coastal dune plants. Sci Total Environ 2023; 880:163293. [PMID: 37030390 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163293] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic litter in coastal environments like beach-dune systems has been well documented, and recent studies have shown that this pollutant can influence sand properties as well as dune vegetation. However, the effects of plastics on rhizosphere bacterial communities of dune plants have largely been neglected. This is an ecologically relevant issue since these communities may play an important role in improving plant growth and resilience of dune systems. Here, we explored the impact of plastic litter made of either non-biodegradable polymers (NBP) or biodegradable/compostable polymers (BP) on the structure and composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with two widespread species along coastal European dunes, Thinopyrum junceum and Sporobolus pumilus, by using a one-year field experiment combined with metabarcoding techniques. Both plastics did not affect neither the survival nor the biomass of T. junceum plants, but they significantly increased alpha-diversity of rhizosphere bacterial communities. They also changed rhizosphere composition by increasing the abundance of the phyla Acidobacteria, Chlamydiae, and Nitrospirae, and of the family Pirellulaceae, and reducing the abundance of the family Rhizobiaceae. NBP reduced drastically the survival of S. pumilus while BP increased its root biomass compared to controls. BP also increased the abundance of the phylum Patescibacteria of the rhizosphere bacterial communities. Our findings provide the first evidence that NBP and BP can change rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with dune plants and highlight the importance of investigating how these changes can affect the resilience of coastal dunes to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Claudia Vannini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Tempesti J, Langeneck J, Lardicci C, Maltagliati F, Castelli A. Cut the rope: Short-term colonization of mooring lines by fouling community within the port of Livorno (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean), focusing on alien species recruitment. Mar Environ Res 2023; 189:106041. [PMID: 37327635 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106041] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The early stages of fouling development on artificial substrates were examined for spatial-temporal variation in the commercial and touristic harbours (use destinations) of the port of Livorno (Tuscany, Italy). The experiment was carried out by submerging two types of experimental ropes with different surface textures, considering three times of submersion. Particular attention was paid to the colonization dynamics of non-indigenous species (NIS). The type of rope did not significantly affect fouling development. However, when the NIS assemblage and the whole community were taken into account, the colonization of ropes varied depending on the use destination. The touristic harbour exhibited a degree of fouling colonization higher than the commercial one. NIS were observed in both harbours since the beginning of colonization, eventually achieving higher population densities in the touristic harbour. The use of experimental ropes represents a promising quick cost-effective tool for monitoring of NIS presence in port environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tempesti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa (CoNISMa), Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Joachim Langeneck
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Del Mare (CoNISMa), U.L.R. di Lecce, Campus Ecotekne, Università Del Salento, Strada Provinciale Lecce, Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria, 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Maltagliati
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa (CoNISMa), Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa (CoNISMa), Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per Lo Studio Degli Effetti Del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Fulignati S, Raspolli Galletti AM, Lardicci C. Plastic litter in coastal sand dunes: Degradation behavior and impact on native and non-native invasive plants. Environ Pollut 2023; 316:120738. [PMID: 36435282 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pollution associated to marine plastic litter is raising increasing concerns due to its potential harmful effects on human health, biota, and coastal ecosystems. However, limited information is available on the degradation behavior of plastics, especially biodegradable ones, in dune habitats. Moreover, the effects of plastics on dune plant growth and ability to withstand environmental stresses and invasion by non-native plants have been largely neglected. This is a particularly relevant issue since biological invasions are major threats to dune ecosystems. In this 18-month study, we examined the degradation behavior of two plastic bags, non-biodegradable (NBP) or biodegradable/compostable (BP), in the dune environment by visual observations and analytical techniques. Concomitantly, we investigated the individual and combined effects of bag type and sand burial (no burial vs. partial burial) on the performance of a native dune plant (Thinopyrum junceum) and an invasive plant (Carpobrotus sp.) and on their interaction. NBP did not show relevant degradation signs over the experimental period as expected. BP exhibited gradual surface modifications and changes in chemical functionality and were almost disintegrated after 18 months. Bags and burial reduced independently T. junceum survival and growth, and most plants died within 8 months of plastic exposure. Bags and burial did not affect Carpobrotus survival. However, burial decreased Carpobrotus growth while NBP increased it. Both plastics increased Carpobrotus competitive ability, and no T. junceum plants survived to co-occurrent Carpobrotus, BP, and burial. These findings indicate that removing all littered plastics from beach-dune systems not only is critical to reduce plastic pollution but also to prevent further spread of invasive species in coastal dunes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Fulignati
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
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6
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Carducci A, Federigi I, Balestri E, Lardicci C, Castelli A, Maltagliati F, Zhao H, Menicagli V, Valente R, De Battisti D, Verani M. Virus contamination and infectivity in beach environment: Focus on sand and stranded material. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 185:114342. [PMID: 36395711 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To assess the exposure of beachgoers to viruses, a study on seawater, sand, and beach-stranded material was carried out, searching for human viruses, fecal indicator organisms, and total fungi. Moreover, for the first time, the genome persistence and infectivity of two model viruses was studied in laboratory-spiked sand and seawater samples during a one-week experiment. Viral genome was detected in 13.6 % of the environmental samples, but it was not infectious (Human Adenovirus - HAdV, and enterovirus). Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were not detected. The most contaminated samples were from sand and close to riverine discharges. In lab-scale experiments, the infectivity of HAdV5 decreased by ~1.5-Log10 in a week, the one of Human Coronavirus-229E disappeared in <3 h in sand. The genome of both viruses persisted throughout the experiment. Our results confirm viral contamination of the beach and suggest HAdV as an index pathogen for beach monitoring and quantitative risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalaura Carducci
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ileana Federigi
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Elena Balestri
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Maltagliati
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Hongrui Zhao
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Virginia Menicagli
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Valente
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide De Battisti
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Department of Biology, Chioggia Hydrobiological Station Umberto D'Ancona, University of Padova, Chioggia, Italy
| | - Marco Verani
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Tempesti J, Langeneck J, Lardicci C, Maltagliati F, Castelli A. Short-term colonization of fouling communities within the port of Livorno (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean): Influence of substrate three-dimensional complexity on non-indigenous species establishment. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 185:114302. [PMID: 36335690 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The influence of substrate morphology on early stages of fouling development was assessed through submerged experimental substrates with different morphological complexity. The experiment was carried out within commercial and touristic harbours of the port of Livorno (Italy), analysing the communities at three steps of colonization (14, 28, 42 days). We assessed the effect of substrate complexity on recruitment of non-indigenous species (NIS), combined with the influence of port use destinations. NIS were recorded in both use destination areas since the first step of colonization. Substrate morphological complexity significantly affected fouling colonization and particularly NIS assemblages. We found that high-complexity substrates are particularly suitable for NIS establishment in comparison with less complex ones. The touristic harbour exhibited a potential for fouling colonization higher than the commercial harbour. These results contributed to the understanding of factors involved in NIS establishment and spread, as well as in their spatial-temporal dynamics within port environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tempesti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Joachim Langeneck
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria, 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Maltagliati
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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8
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Menicagli V, Castiglione MR, Balestri E, Giorgetti L, Bottega S, Sorce C, Spanò C, Lardicci C. Early evidence of the impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution on the growth and physiology of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:156514. [PMID: 35679937 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in natural habitats and the risks their presence poses to marine environments and organisms are of increasing concern. There is evidence that seagrass meadows are particularly prone to accumulate plastic debris, including polystyrene particles, but the impacts of this pollutant on seagrass performance are currently unknown. This is a relevant knowledge gap as seagrasses provide multiple ecosystem services and are declining globally due to anthropogenic impact and climate-change-related stressors. Here, we explored the potential effects of a 12 day-exposure of seagrasses to one concentration (68 μg/L) of polystyrene MPs and NPs on the growth, oxidative status, and photosynthetic efficiency of plants using the foundation species Cymodocea nodosa as a model. Among plant organs, adventitious roots were particularly affected by MPs and NPs showing complete degeneration. The number of leaves per shoot was lower in MPs- and NPs-treated plants compared to control plants, and leaf loss exceeded new leaf production in MPs-treated plants. MPs also reduced photochemical efficiency and increased pigment content compared to control plants. Shoots of NPs-treated plants showed a greater oxidative damage and phenol content than those of control plants and MPs-treated plants. Biochemical data about oxidative stress markers were consistent with histochemical results. The effects of MPs on C. nodosa could be related to their adhesion to plant surface while those of NPs to entering tissues. Our study provides the first experimental evidence of the potential harmful effects of MPs/NPs on seagrass development. It also suggests that the exposure of seagrasses to MPs/NPs in natural environments could have negative consequences on the functioning of seagrass ecosystems. This stresses the importance of implementing cleaning programs to remove all plastics already present in marine habitats as well as of undertaking specific actions to prevent the introduction of these pollutants within seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Ruffini Castiglione
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia Giorgetti
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA-CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Bottega
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Sorce
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelina Spanò
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Biale G, Corti A, La Nasa J, Modugno F, Castelvetro V, Lardicci C. Leached degradation products from beached microplastics: A potential threat to coastal dune plants. Chemosphere 2022; 303:135287. [PMID: 35690174 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants play a fundamental role in maintaining coastal dunes but also accumulate littered microplastics (MPs). Migration tests suggest that naturally weathered MPs can leach out a broader range of potentially phytotoxic chemicals than virgin MPs. Thus, assessing MPs effects on plants using beached-collected particles rather than virgin ones is critically important. Here, the effects on plants of leachates from two pools of beach-collected and virgin MPs, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), and their mixture, were explored combining toxicity tests and chemical analyses. Phytotoxicity of MP leachates at different dilutions was evaluated under standard laboratory conditions using test species and under environmentally realistic conditions using the dune species Thinopyrum junceum. Leachates from beached PP and HDPE adversely affected all species, and the extent of these effects varied according to polymer type, concentration, and species. Virgin MPs had weaker effects than beached ones. Several potentially phytotoxic oxidized compounds were detected in water by GC/MS analysis, and their amount estimated. Results indicate that the molecular species leaching from beached MPs - at ppm concentration levels for the individual chemical species - can inhibit plant growth, and the effects of leachates from mixtures of degraded MPs can differ from those from individual polymers, highlighting the need for further investigation of MPs consequences for coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa, Italy; Center for the Integration of Scientific Instruments of the University of Pisa (CISUP), Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Greta Biale
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Corti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacopo La Nasa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Modugno
- Center for the Integration of Scientific Instruments of the University of Pisa (CISUP), Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valter Castelvetro
- Center for the Integration of Scientific Instruments of the University of Pisa (CISUP), Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for the Integration of Scientific Instruments of the University of Pisa (CISUP), Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
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Menicagli V, De Battisti D, Balestri E, Federigi I, Maltagliati F, Verani M, Castelli A, Carducci A, Lardicci C. Impact of storms and proximity to entry points on marine litter and wrack accumulation along Mediterranean beaches: Management implications. Sci Total Environ 2022; 824:153914. [PMID: 35183639 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beach litter can affect public health and economic activities worldwide forcing local authorities to expensive beach cleaning. Understanding the key mechanisms affecting the accumulation of this waste on beaches, such as sea state and proximity to entry points, is critical to plan effective management strategies. In this one-year study, we estimated the impact of storm events and waterways runoff on litter abundance and local economy using as a model a managed, peri-urban beach facing a north-western sector of the Mediterranean Sea. We also investigated the relationship between litter composition/density and beach proximity to major/closest harbors/rivers at regional scale by combining our data with those on litter density available in literature. Autumn/winter storms caused larger litter depositions than spring/summer ones in the peri-urban beach. No preferential accumulation occurred near to waterway mouths. Litter mainly consisted of plastic, and its composition in terms of micro-categories varied over seasons. In total, 367,070 items were deposited along 4.7 km of beach over one year, and the cost for the removal of this waste amounted to approximately 27,600 euros per km/year. At regional scale, beach litter density was positively correlated to the proximity of major harbors while its composition was related to the proximity to both major harbors and rivers. Results indicate that autumn/winter storms are important drivers of marine litter deposition. They also suggest that beaches in front of the convergence zone of littoral currents and close to major harbors can be particularly subjected to this kind of pollutant. To increase their effectiveness, litter mitigation/cleaning activities should be planned based on predictions of major storm events and performed at spatial scales encompassing at least coastal regional sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Università di Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide De Battisti
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Ileana Federigi
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Maltagliati
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Verani
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Università di Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Unit of Marine Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalaura Carducci
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Virology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via S. Zeno 35/39, 56127 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact (CIRSEC), University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Università di Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact (CIRSEC), University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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11
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Tempesti J, Langeneck J, Romani L, Garrido M, Lardicci C, Maltagliati F, Castelli A. Harbour type and use destination shape fouling community and non-indigenous species assemblage: A study of three northern Tyrrhenian port systems (Mediterranean Sea). Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 174:113191. [PMID: 34864465 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fouling communities were studied in three port systems of Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean), focusing on the occurrence of non-indigenous species (NIS). For each port system two harbour types (large port and recreational marina) were sampled and, within each large port, fouling samples were collected considering two use destinations (commercial and touristic harbour). Among the 431 taxa identified, forty-two were alien or cryptogenic, four of which were new records for the study area. Harbour type and use destination shaped fouling communities and NIS assemblages, with their relative influence varying among different port systems. High fouling variability was detected within port environments and between different marinas. NIS showed the highest occurrence in large ports, in which the touristic harbour generally hosted the greatest amount. Therefore, the touristic harbours within large ports were identified as susceptible areas for NIS establishment and their possible subsequent spread at local scale through recreational maritime traffic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tempesti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Joachim Langeneck
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Romani
- Via delle Ville, 79 - 55012 Capannori, Lucca, Italy
| | - Marie Garrido
- Office de l'Environnement de la Corse, 14 Avenue Jean Nicoli, 20250 Corte, France
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria, 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Maltagliati
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Balestri E, Menicagli V, Lardicci C. Managing biotic interactions during early seagrass life stages to improve seed‐based restoration. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP) University of Pisa Pisa Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP) University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Department of Earth Sciences University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Center for Climate Change Impact University of Pisa Pisa Italy
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13
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De Battisti D, Balestri E, Pardi G, Menicagli V, Lardicci C. Substrate Type Influences the Structure of Epiphyte Communities and the Growth of Posidonia oceanica Seedlings. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:660658. [PMID: 34025699 PMCID: PMC8139341 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.660658] [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: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Epiphytes colonizing adult seagrasses highly contribute to seagrass ecosystem functioning and plant growth. Yet, little information exists on epiphytic communities developing on seagrass seedlings. Moreover, for some species our knowledge about seedling performance is limited to early establishment phases, and the role of substrate type in affecting their growth is still unclear. These are considerable knowledge gaps, as seedlings play an important role in meadow expansion and recovery from disturbance. In this study, seedlings of Posidonia oceanica, a keystone species of the Mediterranean, were grown in a shallow (1.5 m deep) coastal area along the Tuscany coast (Italy). After five years of growth (July 2009), seedlings were collected and, through multivariate analysis, we examined whether the epiphytic communities of leaves (both internal and external side) and rhizomes, as well as the growth characteristics differed between rock and sand substrate. The epiphytic communities of seedlings largely reflected those found on adult shoots. Epiphyte cover was similar between the two leaf sides, and it was higher on seedlings grown on rock than on sand, with encrusting algae dominating the community. No differences in epiphyte cover and community structure on rhizomes were found between substrates. Seedling growth characteristics did not differ between substrates, apart from the number of standing leaves being higher on rock than on sand. No correlation was found among epiphyte communities and seedling growth variables (i.e., leaf area, maximum leaf length, number of leaves, total number of leaves produced, rhizome length, total biomass, and root to shoot biomass ratio). Results indicate that epiphytes successfully colonize P. oceanica seedlings, and the surrounding micro-environment (i.e., substrate type) can influence the leaf epiphytic community. This study provides new valuable insights on the biological interactions occurring in seagrass ecosystems and highlights the need for better understanding the effects of seedling epiphytes and substrate on the formation of new meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Vannini C, Rossi A, Vallerini F, Menicagli V, Seggiani M, Cinelli P, Lardicci C, Balestri E. Microbial communities of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based biodegradable composites plastisphere and of surrounding environmental matrix: a comparison between marine (seabed) and coastal sediments (dune sand) over a long-time scale. Sci Total Environ 2021; 764:142814. [PMID: 33129544 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Most researches on the plastisphere in coastal environments deal with plastics floating in seawater. Comparatively smaller attention has been devoted to the plastisphere of plastics buried in marine sediments, and very little is known on that of plastics on coastal sand dunes. Yet, limited information is available on the impact of plastics, especially biodegradable plastics, on microbial organisms in their surroundings. Nevertheless, a large amount of plastics sink on the seabed or is deposited on beach-dune systems. We investigated the succession of plastisphere microbial community on two biodegradable composites based on poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and seagrass fibres (PHBV/PO), buried in seabed and dune sediments over a 27 months period in mesocosm. PHBV is regarded as a valuable alternative to conventional plastics and PHBV/PO has recently been designed for applications in coastal habitat restoration. We also examined the degradation rate and impact of these plastics on the microbial communities of surrounding sediments. Microbial communities of the surface of PHBV and PHBV/PO in seabed and dune sand differ from those of surrounding sediments, displaying a lower richness. Plastics colonization occurs largely from bacteria present in surrounding sediments, although the contribution from the water column bacterial pool could be not negligible for plastics in the seabed. No significant differences were detected between the communities of the two plastics and no significant impact of plastics on microbial community of the surrounding sediments was detected. The exceptional long duration of this study allowed to gain information on the succession of a plastisphere community over a previously unexplored time scale. Succession appears highly dynamic in dune sand even after two years, while the community structure in seabed seems to reach stability after one year. These findings highlight the importance of performing long-term studies when trying to characterize composition and dynamics of plastisphere bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Vannini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy; CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
| | - Alessia Rossi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
| | | | | | - Maurizia Seggiani
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Cinelli
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa I-56126, Italy.
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15
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Vallerini F, De Battisti D, Lardicci C. Plastics and sedimentation foster the spread of a non-native macroalga in seagrass meadows. Sci Total Environ 2021; 757:143812. [PMID: 33246728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are found in marine environments worldwide, and their effects on macrophytes (seagrasses and macroalgae) colonizing sandy bottoms are still poorly known. Seagrass meadows are valuable but declining ecosystems due to local and global-change related stressors, including sediment disturbance and introduced macroalgae. Understanding whether plastics pose a further threat to seagrasses is critically important. In two simultaneous additive experiments performed in an aquaculture tank, we examined the individual and combined effects of macroplastics (non-biodegradable high-density polyethylene and biodegradable starch-based) and sedimentation (no and repeated sedimentation) on the performance (in terms of biomass and architectural variables) of a native Mediterranean seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) and an introduced macroalga (Caulerpa cylindracea), and on the intensity of their interactions. Macroplastics were still present in sediments after 18 months. Cymodocea nodosa produced a greater biomass and longer horizontal rhizome internodes forming clones with more spaced shoots probably to escape from plastics. Plastics prevented C. nodosa to react to sedimentation by increasing vertical rhizome growth. Under C. cylindracea invasion, C. nodosa allocated more biomass to roots, particularly to fine roots. In the presence of C. nodosa, C. cylindracea performance was reduced. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic and sedimentation shifted species interactions from competitive to neutral. These results suggest that both HDPE and biodegradable starch-based macroplastics, if deposited on marine bottoms, could make seagrasses vulnerable to sedimentation and reduce plant cover within meadows. HDPE plastic and sedimentation could contribute to the decline of seagrass habitats by facilitating the spread of non-native macroalgae within meadows. Overall, the study highlights the urgent need to implement more effective post-marketing management actions to prevent a further entering of plastics in natural environments in the future, as well as to establish to conservation measures specifically tailored to protect seagrass habitats from plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Flavia Vallerini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide De Battisti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa 56124, Italy
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16
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Vallerini F, Castelli A, Lardicci C. Combined effect of plastic litter and increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition on vegetative propagules of dune plants: A further threat to coastal ecosystems. Environ Pollut 2020; 266:115281. [PMID: 32841805 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Large amounts of non-biodegradable plastics are currently deposited on beach-dune systems, and biodegradable plastics could enter these already declining habitats in coming years. Yet, the impacts of plastics on vegetative recruitment, a plant strategy playing a key role in dune stabilization, are unknown. Whether these pollutants interact with increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, a major global driver of plant biodiversity loss, in affecting plant communities of such nutrient-poor habitats, and how plant-plant interactions mediate their effects need to be explored. In a one-year field experiments, we examined individual and combined effects of plastic (non-biodegradable, biodegradable), N deposition (ambient, elevated) and biotic condition (no interaction, interaction with a conspecific or with a hetero-specific) on the colonization success and growth of vegetative propagules of dune plants. Thinopyrum junceum and Sporobolus pumilus were chosen as models because they co-occur along Mediterranean dunes and differ in ecological role (dune- vs. non dune-building) and photosynthetic pathway (C3 vs. C4). For both species, survival probability was reduced by non-biodegradable plastic and elevated N by up to 100%. Thinopyrum junceum survival was also reduced by S. pumilus presence. Elevated N and biodegradable plastic reduced T. junceum shoot biomass when grown alone and with a conspecific, respectively; these factors in combination mitigated their negative individual effects on root biomass. Biodegradable plastic increased S. pumilus shoot and root biomass, and in combination with elevated N caused a greater biomass investment in belowground (root plus rhizome) than aboveground organs. Non-biodegradable plastic may be a further threat to dune habitats by reducing plant colonization. Biodegradable plastic and increased N deposition could favour the generalist S. pumilus and hinder the dune-building T. junceum. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing measures for preventing plastic deposition on beaches and reducing N input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Flavia Vallerini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, 56124, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, 56124, Italy
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Tempesti J, Mangano MC, Langeneck J, Lardicci C, Maltagliati F, Castelli A. Non-indigenous species in Mediterranean ports: A knowledge baseline. Mar Environ Res 2020; 161:105056. [PMID: 33070931 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Port areas have been considered bioinvasion hotspots due to the concentration of several invasion vectors. However, the actual distribution of non-indigenous species (NIS) in Mediterranean ports is still poorly understood. Here we conducted a literature review with the aim to provide a knowledge baseline about NIS distribution in Mediterranean ports. NIS distribution in Mediterranean ports showed a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of studies across the whole basin, with a limited knowledge on both specific taxa and geographical areas, as well as a generally low proportion of investigated ports. The low rate of specific studies designed to monitor these particular environments may represent the main source of knowledge gaps. Mediterranean ports host NIS from all regions of the world, playing a key role in marine bioglobalization. Our synthesis represents the first baseline addressing the presence of NIS in Mediterranean ports, which may be useful to define plans of NIS management and strategies focusing on a network of recognised focal hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tempesti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mangano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Dipartimento Ecologia Marina Integrata, Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142, Palermo, Italy
| | - Joachim Langeneck
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Via Santa Maria, 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Castelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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Balestri E, Vallerini F, Seggiani M, Cinelli P, Menicagli V, Vannini C, Lardicci C. Use of bio-containers from seagrass wrack with nursery planting to improve the eco-sustainability of coastal habitat restoration. J Environ Manage 2019; 251:109604. [PMID: 31569025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Traditional revegetation techniques employed to restore seagrass meadows and coastal dunes have recently been criticized for their impact on donor populations as well as for the installation of plant anchoring structures made of non-biodegradable or not natural materials in recipient habitats. To improve the ecological sustainability of restoration practices, a novel plantable biodegradable container made of beach-cast seagrass wrack and a bio-based polymer was produced. The long-term performance of two seagrasses, Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera noltei, and two dune plants, Euphorbia paralias and Thinopyrum junceum, grown in nurseries from seeds using the bio-container or a non-biodegradable container of equal size/form made of a conventional plastic (control) was also examined. In addition, the development of bio-container-raised C. nodosa plants in the field was compared to that of plants removed from control containers at the installation and anchored with a traditional system. The bio-container degraded slowly in seawater and in sand and lost its functionality after about three years. In nurseries, all the tested species grown in bio-containers performed as well as, or better than, those raised in non-biodegradable ones. Six months after transplanting into the field, 80% of the C. nodosa nursery-raised plants installed with their bio-container have colonized the surrounding substrate while most of those planted with the traditional system was lost. These results indicate that the new bio-container may support plant growth, and it may also provide protection and anchorage to plants in the field. The use of this bio-container in combination with nursery techniques could improve the environmental sustainability of coastal restoration interventions by providing large plant stocks from seed, thus reducing the impact of collection on donor populations. This approach would also limit the introduction of extraneous materials in recipient habitats and offer an opportunity for valorizing seagrass beach-cast material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maurizia Seggiani
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cinelli
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Lardicci C. Exposure of coastal dune vegetation to plastic bag leachates: A neglected impact of plastic litter. Sci Total Environ 2019; 683:737-748. [PMID: 31150894 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic bags on coastal dunes worldwide is well documented. Plastic bags contain additives that during rainfall events can leach out from bags into sand dune and be absorbed by seeds and roots of plants. Dune plants play a fundamental role in dune system formation, yet the possible impact of bag leaching on their establishment and development has been neglected. We assessed in laboratory whether (i) not biodegradable bags (high-density polyethylene, PE) and new generation of compostable bags (Mater-bi®, MB) would influence via leaching water chemical/physical properties and (ii) leachates would affect germination and seedling growth using Thinopyrum junceum and Glaucium flavum as models. Leachates were obtained from different amounts of not-exposed and bags exposed to beach or marine conditions simulating various pollution degrees (none, low, intermediate and high pollution). All water variables were affected by leaching. The magnitude of these alterations depended on bag type and environmental exposure. Seeds of T. junceum treated with the high concentration of marine-exposed MB bag leachate germinated later than controls while those of G. flavum treated with the remaining leachates germinated earlier. For both species, leachates from the low concentration of PE and MB marine-exposed bags increased seed germinability. A short radicle was observed in T. junceum seedlings treated with not-exposed MB bag leachates. Glaucium flavum seedlings treated with beach- and marine-exposed PE bags and not-exposed MB bags leachates showed a greater below-aboveground length ratio and those grown with the low concentration of not-exposed PE bag leachate had a longer hypocotyl compared to controls. Leachates from the high concentration of PE and MB bag caused seedling anomalies in both species. These findings indicate that not biodegradable and compostable bags may interact with abiotic/biotic factors and affect via leaching germination phenology, seedling establishment and plant interactions with consequences on dune community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Vallerini F, Castelli A, Lardicci C. Adverse effects of non-biodegradable and compostable plastic bags on the establishment of coastal dune vegetation: First experimental evidences. Environ Pollut 2019; 252:188-195. [PMID: 31146234 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-biodegradable and compostable plastic bags on beaches negatively affect the development of coastal dune vegetation by drastically reducing seedling emergence and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Flavia Vallerini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Castelli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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Pitacco V, Mistri M, Aleffi IF, Lardicci C, Prato S, Tagliapietra D, Munari C. The efficiency of Taxonomic Sufficiency for identification of spatial patterns at different scales in transitional waters. Mar Environ Res 2019; 144:84-91. [PMID: 30635199 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Taxonomic Sufficiency (TS), the use of coarser taxonomic resolution in monitoring plans, has been receiving increasing attention in last years. A comprehensive dataset of macrobenthos from 18 Italian lagoons in a range of different latitude, typology, salinity and surface area, was analysed in order to test the efficiency of TS, in terms of correlation between patterns at level of species and patterns resulting from different levels of taxonomic aggregation. First, TS was applied on a range of univariate indices, providing complementary information on macrobenthic community, in order to test the efficiency, in a contest of different taxonomic composition, and different number of lower taxa belonging to the same higher taxon in each lagoon. Then, TS was applied on multivariate analyses, in order to test whether the efficiency changes between two different scales: local (comparison of sites nested within each lagoon) and regional (comparison among lagoons), and with different data transformation. The patterns resulting from univariate indices and multivariate analyses, at both local and regional scales, were retained till family level, despite the different levels of taxonomic composition and different number of lower taxa belonging to the same higher taxon of different lagoons. Nevertheless, the correlation values among matrices and the effect of data transformation differed between regional and local scales. Our results support the efficiency of TS until family level, but at the same time underline the need of scale- and region-specific baseline knowledge prior application of TS in lagoons.
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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
| | - Michele Mistri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Ida Floriana Aleffi
- ARPA FVG, Osservatorio Alto Adriatico, Via La Marmora 13, 34139, Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Munari
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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Mistri M, Borja A, Aleffi IF, Lardicci C, Tagliapietra D, Munari C. Assessing the ecological status of Italian lagoons using a biomass-based index. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 126:600-605. [PMID: 29066263 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.048] [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: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We compared the performance of abundance- and biomass-based M-AMBI in the 13 major Italian lagoons, using a benthic dataset constituted by 208 sampling sites. The relative importance of ecological groups changed when using abundance or biomass, sometimes leading to an improved ecological status classification. Being biomass more ecologically relevant than abundance, the adoption of a biomass-based index may better describe the ecological status of lagoons, where the community is naturally disturbed and dominated by tolerant and opportunist species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Mistri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI-Tecnalia, Marine Research Division, Herrera Kaia, Portualdea s/n, 20110 Pasaia, Spain
| | - Ida Floriana Aleffi
- ARPA FVG, Osservatorio Alto Adriatico, Via La Marmora 13, 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Munari
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Balestri E, Menicagli V, Vallerini F, Lardicci C. Biodegradable plastic bags on the seafloor: A future threat for seagrass meadows? Sci Total Environ 2017; 605-606:755-763. [PMID: 28679119 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic litter is a global concern. Carrier bags manufactured from non-biodegradable polymers constitute a large component of this litter. Because of their adverse impact on marine life, non-biodegradable bags have recently been replaced by biodegradable ones. However, growing evidence shows that these latter are not readily degradable in marine sediments and can alter benthic assemblages. The potential impact of biodegradable bags on seagrasses inhabiting sandy bottoms, which are the most widespread and productive ecosystems of the coastal zones, has been ignored. Mesocosm experiments were conducted to assess the effect of a commercialized biodegradable bag on a common seagrass species of the Mediterranean, Cymodocea nodosa, both at the level of individual plant (clonal growth) and of plant community (plant-plant relationships), under three culture regimes (plant alone, in combination with a neighbour of the same species or of the co-existing seagrass Zostera noltei) simulating different natural conditions (bare substrate, monospecific meadows or mixed meadows). The bag behaviour in marine sediment and sediment physical/chemical variables were also examined. After six months of sediment exposure, the bag retained considerable mass (85% initial weight) and reduced sediment pore-water oxygen concentration and pH. In the presence of bag, C. nodosa root spread and vegetative recruitment increased compared to controls, both intra- and interspecific interactions shifted from neutral to competitive, and the growth form changed from guerrilla (loosely arranged group of widely spaced ramets) to phalanx form (compact structure of closed spaced ramets) but only with Z. noltei. These findings suggest that biodegradable bags altering sediment geochemistry could promote the spatial segregation of seagrass clones and influence species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Flavia Vallerini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Balestri E, Vallerini F, Lardicci C. Recruitment and Patch Establishment by Seed in the Seagrass Posidonia oceanica: Importance and Conservation Implications. Front Plant Sci 2017; 8:1067. [PMID: 28670323 PMCID: PMC5472673 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses are declining globally, and deeper understanding is needed on the recruitment potential and distribution of new populations for many threatened species to support conservation planning in the face of climate change. Recruitment of Posidonia oceanica, a threatened seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean, has long been considered rare due to infrequent flowering, but mounting evidence demonstrates that the species is responding to a changing climate through greater reproductive effort. Due to the fragmentary information on recruit occurrence and distribution, little is known about reproductive success in the species and its contribution to persistence. We assembled P. oceanica recruitment data from published and unpublished sources, including our own, to examine the frequency and extent of recruitment events (establishment of seedlings in a site), seedling growth potential and habitat characteristics at recruitment sites. Results show that at least one recruitment event has occurred about every 3 years, and 18 localities were colonized at least one time since the first seedling record in 1986. Notably, consistently high seedling inputs were observed in four localities of the Western Mediterranean. Seedlings established mainly on unoccupied substrate areas along the coasts of islands, in sheltered sites and at shallower depths (<3 m) than the upper limit of adjacent P. oceanica meadows. Seedling establishment occurred more frequently on rocky than on sandy substrate, and rarely on dead "matte" or meadows of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. The chance of colonization success on rock was two times higher than on sand. Our 11 years of observations have allowed for the first time the documentation of the formation and development of patches by P. oceanica seed. These findings contradict the historical assumption that sexual recruitment is rare and usually unsuccessful for P. oceanica, and highlight the potential importance of recruitment for the long-term persistence and adaptation of the species to sea level rise predicted in the next century in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, management actions have mainly focused on established meadows, ignoring the presence of recruits in outside areas. Therefore, it will be useful to identify and consider regeneration sites in designing future management strategies to improve seagrass conservation effectiveness.
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Dauvin JC, Bakalem A, Baffreau A, Delecrin C, Bellan G, Lardicci C, Balestri E, Sardá R, Grimes S. The well sorted fine sand community from the western Mediterranean Sea: A resistant and resilient marine habitat under diverse human pressures. Environ Pollut 2017; 224:336-351. [PMID: 28238365 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.013] [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: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Biocoenosis of Well Sorted Fine Sands (WSFS) (SFBC, Sables Fins Bien Calibrés in French) is a Mediterranean community very well delimited by bathymetry (2-25 m) and sedimentology (>90% of fine sand) occurring in zones with relatively strong hydrodynamics. In this study focused on sites located along the Algerian, French, Italian and Spanish coasts of the Western Basin of the Mediterranean Sea (WBMS) we aim to compare the structure, ecological status and diversity of the macrofauna of the WSFS and examine the effects of recent human pressures on the state of this shallow macrobenthic community. We assess the ecological status and functioning of these WSFS using three categories of benthic indices: a) five indices based on classification of species into ecological groups, AMBI, BO2A, BPOFA, IQ and IP, b) the ITI index based on classification of species in trophic groups, and c) the Shannon H' index, and the Biological Traits Analysis (BTA), which is an alternative method to relative taxon composition analysis and integrative indices. Cluster analyses show that each zone show a particular taxonomic richness and dominant species. The seven benthic indices reveal that the macrobenthos of the WSFS of the four coastal zones show good or high Quality Status, except for one location on the Algerian coast (the Djendjen site) in 1997. BTA highlights the presence of three groups of species: 1) typical characteristic species; 2) indicator species of enrichment of fine particles and organic matter, and 3) coarse sand species which are accessorily found on fine sand. Finally, the WSFS which are naturally subject to regular natural physical perturbations show a high resilience after human pressures but are very sensitive to changes in the input of organic matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Univ, France, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France.
| | - Ali Bakalem
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique (ENSA), Avenue Hassan Badi, 16200, El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Alexandrine Baffreau
- Normandie Univ, France, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Claire Delecrin
- Normandie Univ, France, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Gérard Bellan
- Université d'Aix-Marseille, IMBE, Station Marine d'Endoume, Rue Batterie des Lions, 13007, Marseille, France
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Biologia, Via Derna, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Biologia, Via Derna, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rafael Sardá
- Centre d'Estudis, Avançats de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Carrer d'accés a la Cala Sant Fransesc, Blanes 17300, Spain
| | - Samir Grimes
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Sciences de la Mer et de l'Aménagement du Littoral (ENSSMAL), BP 19, Campus universitaire de Dely Brahim, Bois des Cars, Algiers, Algeria
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Seggiani M, Cinelli P, Mallegni N, Balestri E, Puccini M, Vitolo S, Lardicci C, Lazzeri A. New Bio-Composites Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Posidonia oceanica Fibres for Applications in a Marine Environment. Materials (Basel) 2017; 10:E326. [PMID: 28772689 PMCID: PMC5506960 DOI: 10.3390/ma10040326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bio-composites based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and fibres of Posidonia oceanica (PO) were investigated to assess their processability by extrusion, mechanical properties, and potential biodegradability in a natural marine environment. PHAs were successfully compounded with PO fibres up to 20 wt % while, at 30 wt % of fibres, the addition of 10 wt % of polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) was necessary to improve their processability. Thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological characterizations of the developed composites were conducted and the degradation of composite films in a natural marine habitat was evaluated in a mesocosm by weight loss measure during an incubation period of six months. The addition of PO fibres led to an increase in stiffness of the composites with tensile modulus values about 80% higher for composites with 30 wt % fibre (2.3 GPa) compared to unfilled material (1.24 GPa). Furthermore, the impact energy markedly increased with the addition of the PO fibres, from 1.63 (unfilled material) to 3.8 kJ/m² for the composites with 30 wt % PO. The rate of degradation was markedly influenced by seawater temperature and significantly promoted by the presence of PO fibres leading to the total degradation of the film with 30 wt % PO in less than six months. The obtained results showed that the developed composites can be suitable to manufacture items usable in marine environments, for example, in natural engineering interventions, and represent an interesting valorisation of the PO fibrous wastes accumulated in large amounts on coastal beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizia Seggiani
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Cinelli
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
- Institute for the Chemical and Physical Processes, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy.
| | - Norma Mallegni
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
| | - Andrea Lazzeri
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56126, Italy.
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Katwijk MM, Thorhaug A, Marbà N, Orth RJ, Duarte CM, Kendrick GA, Althuizen IHJ, Balestri E, Bernard G, Cambridge ML, Cunha A, Durance C, Giesen W, Han Q, Hosokawa S, Kiswara W, Komatsu T, Lardicci C, Lee K, Meinesz A, Nakaoka M, O'Brien KR, Paling EI, Pickerell C, Ransijn AMA, Verduin JJ. Global analysis of seagrass restoration: the importance of large‐scale planting. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke M. Katwijk
- Department of Environmental Science Faculty of Science Institute for Water and Wetland Research Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Anitra Thorhaug
- Greeley Laboratories Institute for Sustainable Forestry School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Yale University Prospect St New Haven CT 06511 USA
| | - Núria Marbà
- Department of Global Change Research IMEDEA (CSIC‐UIB) Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats C/Miguel Marqués 21 07190 Esporles Spain
| | - Robert J. Orth
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science College of William & Mary P.O. Box 1346 Gloucester Point VA 23062 USA
| | - Carlos M. Duarte
- Department of Global Change Research IMEDEA (CSIC‐UIB) Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats C/Miguel Marqués 21 07190 Esporles Spain
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley 6009 WA Australia
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) Thuwal 23955‐6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Gary A. Kendrick
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley 6009 WA Australia
| | - Inge H. J. Althuizen
- Department of Environmental Science Faculty of Science Institute for Water and Wetland Research Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Elena Balestri
- Dipartimento di Biologia Pisa University Via Derna 1 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Guillaume Bernard
- GIPREB (Gestion Intégrée pour la Prospective et la Réhabilitation de l'Etang de Berre) 13 Cours Mirabeau 13130 Berre‐l’Étang France
| | - Marion L. Cambridge
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley 6009 WA Australia
| | - Alexandra Cunha
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) Edificio 7 Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas 8005‐139 Faro Portugal
| | - Cynthia Durance
- Precision Identification 3622 West 3rd Avenue Vancouver BC V6R 1L9 Canada
| | - Wim Giesen
- Department of Environmental Science Faculty of Science Institute for Water and Wetland Research Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Euroconsult Mott MacDonald P.O. Box 441 6800 AK Arnhem The Netherlands
| | - Qiuying Han
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes YICCAS Yantai Shandong 264003 China
| | - Shinya Hosokawa
- Marine Environmental Information Group Port and Airport Research Institute Nagase Yokosuka Kanagawa 239‐0826 Japan
| | - Wawan Kiswara
- Research Centre for Oceanography Indonesian Institute of Sciences Jl. Pasir Putih No. 1, Ancol, Timur Jakarta Utara 14430 Indonesia
| | - Teruhisa Komatsu
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute University of Tokyo 5‐1‐5 Kashiwanoha Kashiwa 277‐8564 Japan
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Dipartimento di Biologia Pisa University Via Derna 1 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Kun‐Seop Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences Pusan National University Pusan 609‐735 Korea
| | - Alexandre Meinesz
- EA ECOMERS 4228 University Nice Sophia Antipolis F‐06108 Nice 2 France
| | - Masahiro Nakaoka
- Akkeshi Marine Station Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere Hokkaido University Akkeshi Hokkaido 088‐1113 Japan
| | - Katherine R. O'Brien
- School of Chemical Engineering The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Erik I. Paling
- Ichthys Onshore LNG 11/14 Winnellie Road Winnellie NT 0820 Australia
| | - Chris Pickerell
- Marine Program Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County 423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100 Riverhead NY 11901 USA
| | - Aryan M. A. Ransijn
- Department of Environmental Science Faculty of Science Institute for Water and Wetland Research Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer J. Verduin
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Environmental and Conservation Sciences Murdoch University South Street Murdoch 6150 Perth WA Australia
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Vannini C, Volpi M, Lardicci C. A Multi Size-Level Assessment of Benthic Marine Communities in a Coastal Environment: Are They Different Sides of the Same Coin? PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129942. [PMID: 26075405 PMCID: PMC4468208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Organism body size has been demonstrated to be a discriminating element in shaping the response of living beings to environmental factors, thus playing a fundamental role in community structuring. Despite the importance of studies elucidating relations among communities of different size levels in ecosystems, the attempts that have been made in this sense are still very scarce and a reliable approach for these research still has to be defined. We characterized the benthic communities of bacteria, microbial eukaryotes, meiofauna and macrofauna in a coastal environment, encompassing a 10000-fold gradient in body size, testing and discussing a mixed approach of molecular fingerprinting for microbes and morphological observations for meio- and macrofauna. We found no correlation among structures of the different size-level communities: this suggests that community composition at one size-level could have no (or very low) influence on the community composition at other size-levels. Moreover, each community responds in a different way to the environmental parameters and with a degree of sensitivity which seems to increase with organism size. Therefore, our data indicate that the characterization of all the different size levels is clearly a necessity in order to study the dynamics really acting in a system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Vannini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Marta Volpi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Geomicrobiology, Institute of Bioscience, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
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Balestri E, Lardicci C. Effects of Sediment Fertilization and Burial on Cymodocea nodosaTransplants; Implications for Seagrass Restoration Under a Changing Climate. Restor Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology; University of Pisa; Via Derna 1 Pisa 56126 Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Biology; University of Pisa; Via Derna 1 Pisa 56126 Italy
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30
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Balestri E, Lardicci C. The impact of physical disturbance and increased sand burial on clonal growth and spatial colonization of Sporobolus virginicus in a coastal dune system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72598. [PMID: 23977326 PMCID: PMC3747114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dune plants are subjected to disturbance and environmental stresses, but little is known about the possible combined effects of such factors on growth and spatial colonization. We investigated how clones of Sporobolusvirginicus, a widespread dune species, responded to the independent and interactive effects of breakage of rhizomes, breakage position and burial regime. Horizontal rhizomes were severed at three different internode positions relative to the apex to span the range of damage by disturbance naturally observed or left intact, and apical portions exposed to two burial scenarios (ambient vs. increased frequency) for three months in the field. The performance of both parts of severed rhizomes, the apical portion and the remaining basal portion connected to clone containing four consecutive ramets, was compared with that of equivalent parts in intact rhizomes. Apical portions severed proximal to the third internode did not survive and their removal did not enhance branching on their respective basal portions. Severing the sixth or twelfth internode did not affect survival and rhizome extension of apical portions, but suppressed ramet production and reduced total biomass and specific shoot length. Their removal enhanced branching and ramet production on basal portions and changed the original rhizome growth trajectory. However, the gain in number of ramets in basal portions never compensated for the reduction in ramet number in apical portions. Recurrent burial increased biomass allocation to root tissues. Burial also stimulated rhizome extension only in intact rhizomes, indicating that disturbance interacts with, and counteracts, the positive burial effect. These results suggest that disturbance and recurrent burial in combination reduces the regeneration success and spread capacity of S. virginucus. Since global change leads to increasingly severe or frequent storms, the impact of disturbance and burial on clones could be greater in future and possibly prevent colonization of mobile dunes by the species.
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31
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Frosini S, Lardicci C, Balestri E. Global change and response of coastal dune plants to the combined effects of increased sand accretion (burial) and nutrient availability. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47561. [PMID: 23077636 PMCID: PMC3471884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coastal dune plants are subjected to natural multiple stresses and vulnerable to global change. Some changes associated with global change could interact in their effects on vegetation. As vegetation plays a fundamental role in building and stabilizing dune systems, effective coastal habitat management requires a better understanding of the combined effects of such changes on plant populations. A manipulative experiment was conducted along a Mediterranean dune system to examine the individual and combined effects of increased sediment accretion (burial) and nitrogen enrichment associated with predicted global change on the performance of young clones of Sporobolus virginicus, a widespread dune stabilizing species. Increased burial severity resulted in the production of taller but thinner shoots, while nutrient enrichment stimulated rhizome production. Nutrient enrichment increased total plant biomass up to moderate burial levels (50% of plant height), but it had not effect at the highest burial level (100% of plant height). The effects of such factors on total biomass, shoot biomass and branching were influenced by spatial variation in natural factors at the scale of hundreds of metres. These results indicate that the effects of burial and nutrient enrichment on plant performance were not independent. Their combined effects may not be predicted by knowing the individual effects, at least under the study conditions. Under global change scenarios, increased nutrient input could alleviate nutrient stress in S. virginicus, enhancing clonal expansion and productivity, but this benefit could be offset by increased sand accretion levels equal or exceeding 100% of plant height. Depletion of stored reserves for emerging from sand could increase plant vulnerability to other stresses in the long-term. The results emphasize the need to incorporate statistical designs for detecting non-independent effects of multiple changes and adequate spatial replication in future works to anticipate the impact of global change on dune ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Balestri
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Pisa University; Via Derna 1; 56100; Pisa; Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Pisa University; Via Derna 1; 56100; Pisa; Italy
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Benedetti-Cecchi L, Iken K, Konar B, Cruz-Motta J, Knowlton A, Pohle G, Castelli A, Tamburello L, Mead A, Trott T, Miloslavich P, Wong M, Shirayama Y, Lardicci C, Palomo G, Maggi E. Spatial relationships between polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12946. [PMID: 20886075 PMCID: PMC2944868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined spatial relationships between rocky shore polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales, using a database compiled within the Census of Marine Life NaGISA (Natural Geography In Shore Areas) research program. The database consisted of abundance measures of polychaetes classified at the genus and family levels for 74 and 93 sites, respectively, from nine geographic regions. We tested the general hypothesis that the set of environmental variables emerging as potentially important drivers of variation in polychaete assemblages depend on the spatial scale considered. Through Moran's eigenvector maps we indentified three submodels reflecting spatial relationships among sampling sites at intercontinental (>10000 km), continental (1000–5000 km) and regional (20–500 km) scales. Using redundancy analysis we found that most environmental variables contributed to explain a large and significant proportion of variation of the intercontinental submodel both for genera and families (54% and 53%, respectively). A subset of these variables, organic pollution, inorganic pollution, primary productivity and nutrient contamination was also significantly related to spatial variation at the continental scale, explaining 25% and 32% of the variance at the genus and family levels, respectively. These variables should therefore be preferably considered when forecasting large-scale spatial patterns of polychaete assemblages in relation to ongoing or predicted changes in environmental conditions. None of the variables considered in this study were significantly related to the regional submodel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, CoNISMa (National Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Sciences), Pisa, Italy.
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Tataranni M, Lardicci C. Performance of some biotic indices in the real variable world: a case study at different spatial scales in North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Environ Pollut 2010; 158:26-34. [PMID: 19783340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2009] [Revised: 06/04/2009] [Accepted: 08/14/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the variability of four different benthic biotic indices (AMBI, BENTIX, H', M-AMBI) in two marine coastal areas of the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. In each coastal area, 36 replicates were randomly selected according to a hierarchical sampling design, which allowed estimating the variance components of the indices associated with four different spatial scales (ranging from metres to kilometres). All the analyses were performed at two different sampling periods in order to evaluate if the observed trends were consistent over the time. The variance components of the four indices revealed complex trends and different patterns in the two sampling periods. These results highlighted that independently from the employed index, a rigorous and appropriate sampling design taking into account different scales should always be used in order to avoid erroneous classifications and to develop effective monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Tataranni
- Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Biologia, Via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Tataranni M, Maltagliati F, Floris A, Castelli A, Lardicci C. Variance estimate and taxonomic resolution: an analysis of macrobenthic spatial patterns at different scales in a Western Mediterranean coastal lagoon. Mar Environ Res 2009; 67:219-229. [PMID: 19329181 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2009.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The effects of taxonomic resolution on the variance estimates of macrobenthic assemblages were studied at four spatial scales in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. The assemblages exhibited significant differences at all the investigated scales; however, spatial variability was mainly associated with the smallest and the largest scales. The decrease of taxonomic resolution (from species to family) was not related to a decrease of the overall variability and similar estimates of variance components were obtained using species and family resolution levels. The ordination models derived from species and family abundances were very similar both in terms of location and dispersion effect, while further aggregation to the class level began to alter the observed spatial patterns. In future studies aimed at assessing changes in the lagoon, resources derived from the cost reductions achieved using family level could be employed to plan more frequent surveys and/or to adopt complex spatial sampling designs with a high number of replicates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tataranni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Magni P, Tagliapietra D, Lardicci C, Balthis L, Castelli A, Como S, Frangipane G, Giordani G, Hyland J, Maltagliati F, Pessa G, Rismondo A, Tataranni M, Tomassetti P, Viaroli P. Animal-sediment relationships: evaluating the 'Pearson-Rosenberg paradigm' in Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Mar Pollut Bull 2009; 58:478-486. [PMID: 19162282 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2008] [Revised: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/10/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the applicability of the Pearson-Rosenberg (P-R) conceptual model describing a generalized pattern of response of benthic communities in relation to organic enrichment to Mediterranean Sea coastal lagoons. Consistent with P-R model predictions, benthic diversity and abundance showed two different peaks at low (>2.5-5 mg g(-1)) and high (>25-30 mg g(-1)) total organic carbon (TOC) ranges, respectively. We identified TOC thresholds indicating that risks of reduced benthic diversity should be relatively low at TOC values<about 10 mg g(-1), high at TOC values>about 28 mg g(-1), and intermediate at values in-between. Predictive ability within these ranges was high based on results of re-sampling simulation. While not a direct measure of causality, it is anticipated that these TOC thresholds should serve as a general screening-level indicator for evaluating the likelihood of reduced sediment quality and associated bioeffects in such eutrophic systems of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Magni
- CNR-IAMC, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09072 Oristano, Italy.
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Lardicci C, Como S, Corti S, Rossi F. Recovery of the macrozoobenthic community after severe dystrophic crises in a Mediterranean coastal Lagoon (Orbetello, Italy). Mar Pollut Bull 2001; 42:202-214. [PMID: 11381875 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-326x(00)00144-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The Orbetello lagoon, one of the largest Western Mediterranean lagoons, was affected by high algal blooms and severe anoxic crises in 1992 and 1993, with fish mortality throughout most of the lagoon and a drastic reduction of benthic species. Many measures were undertaken between 1994 and 1996 to remove the severe eutrophication of this lagoon. Such measures included harvesting of the floating seaweed biomass, removal of all wastewater and sea channel enlargement by dredging activity. The aim of the present research was to study the macrozoobenthic assemblage in 1999 and to compare it with previous research in order to assess the recovery of the lagoon. A total of 106 taxa and 45,175 individuals were collected in three areas (sea inlets, western and eastern lagoon) having different organic matter loading during winter and summer. The results of multivariate and correlation analyses indicated that trophic status and its seasonal dynamics were crucial in determining species distribution among the different areas. Moreover, comparison of the macrozoobenthic structure between winter 1995 and 1999 showed differences in species composition and structural parameters in the western and eastern lagoon, where a clear recovery of benthic assemblages was observed in 1999. However, the dominance of opportunistic species in most of the lagoon and the decrease in some structural parameters during summer suggested that this basin still presented signs of disturbance in 1999, six years after the last extended anoxic crises and even after completion of the restoration measures carried out in the environment. It was hypothesized that a secondary disturbance, sustained by a high seasonal release of nutrients from the sediments, could create considerable deviations from the expected improvement in benthic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lardicci
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Uomo e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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