Effects of industrial and urban pollution on the benthic macrofauna in the Bay of Muggia (industrial port of Trieste, Italy)

Solís‐Weiss, Vivianne; Aleffi, F.; Bettoso, Nicola; Rossin, P; Orel, Giuliano; Fonda-Umani, S.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.01.027

Cited by 79 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Indeed, among the physical variables, grain size is considered one of the most important factors influencing the colonization of sediments by benthic organisms at different trophic levels, from microphytobenthos (Round et al, 1992) to meiofauna (Balsamo et al, 2010) and macrofauna (Solis-Weiss et al, 2004). Within the port area, St. 6 differed from the other stations primarily by its reduced depth (8.5 m) and a higher percentage of sand (about 40%) that favored high macrofaunal abundances.…”

Section: Discussion Benthic Trophic Web In the Port Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In subsequent decades, other industrial structures were built, such as the industrial channel (completed in the 50s), the navigation channel (1966) as well as the construction of the Trieste -Monaco of Bavaria (SIOT) (1967) pipeline terminal (Solis-Weiss et al, 2004 and references therein), the most important pipeline that serves central Europe (about 36 · 10 6 tons of crude oil discharged in 2001) (www.porto.trieste.it) and finally, the expansion of the commercial docks.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Special attention must be given to sediments, which frequently present higher concentrations of contaminants compared to the water column, and may constitute not only a sink but also a secondary source of contaminants for the water column and biota (Buruaem et al, 2012). Benthic organisms, in particular, due to their limited mobility, are exposed to accumulated contaminants and respond to stress conditions both at individual and community level through the selection of taxa, the elimination of sensitive ones and abundance changes (Solis-Weiss et al, 2004). Many studies report on changes in abundance or diversity of microor macrobenthic communities in chronically polluted marine environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Port of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)—A Case Study of the “Ecosystem Approach to Management”

et al. 2017

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This study is a rare example of "the ecosystem approach to management" that has been carried out for the purpose of providing practical support to decision-makers in managing a Site of National Interest (SIN) where activities such as fishing, aquaculture and swimming are restricted. Benthic ecosystem functioning was assessed to verify whether it would be possible to exclude the less contaminated part from the SIN and its legislative constraints. At five macrosites subjected to diversified industrialization and anthropization, we evaluated the structural characteristics of the sediments, both heterotrophic and phototrophic communities, and the main processes of production, transformation and consumption of organic matter at seven stations, plus a reference site. Along the north-eastern boundary of the bay, the port, shipbuilding and iron foundry areas, characterized by high levels of contaminants, low macrozoobenthic diversity, major organic contents (up to 51.1 mgC g −1 ) and higher numbers of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria (up to 5,464 MPN g dry −1 ), differed significantly (R ANOSIM = 0.463, p = 2.9%) from the other areas (stations). Oxygen consumption (−15.22 ± 1.59 mgC m −2 ) prevailed over primary production and the trophic state was net heterotrophic. In contrast, on the other side of the harbor (residential area/center bay), contamination levels were below the legal limits and both the microalgal and macrobenthic communities displayed higher biodiversity. Higher macrofaunal abundances (up to 753 ± 174.7 ind.m −2 ), primary production rates (up to 58.60 ± 8.41 mgC m −2 ) and exoenzymatic activities were estimated. nMDS and SIMPROF analyses performed on benthic communities significantly separated the most contaminated stations from the other ones. Overall, by applying this holistic approach, a better environmental situation was highlighted along the southern boundary of the bay and according to these results this part of the bay could be excluded from the SIN. However, further sampling is required along a finer sampling grid in the less contaminated side of the port in order to confirm these first results. Our work is one of the first case studies where such an ecosystem approach has been applied to a port area, in order to provide practical support to decision-makers involved in the spatial planning of harbor zones.

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Section: Discussion Benthic Trophic Web In the Port Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Port of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)—A Case Study of the “Ecosystem Approach to Management”

et al. 2017

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“…Similarly, following the transport, distribution and fate of metal species in the marine environment, many benthic organisms could accumulate them and also be targeted as sentinels of metal contamination. Thus, benthic animals and plants are clearly under the influence of anthropogenic pressures in the marine environment (Solis-Weiss et al 2004, Deudero et al 2007. In this context, the species Pinna nobilis Linnaeus 1758 is a benthic species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea that inhabits seagrass meadows, especially those of P. oceanica, from shallow areas down to 60 m bottom depth (García-March 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High metal contents in the fan mussel <em>Pinna nobilis</em> in the Balearic Archipelago (western Mediterranean Sea) and a review of concentrations in marine bivalves (Pinnidae)

et al. 2011

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Summary:Concentrations of metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in the marine bivalve Pinna nobilis at several coastal locations of Majorca and the Cabrera Islands (Mediterranean Sea) were investigated. The elevated concentrations of metals found in the soft tissues of P. nobilis indicate high bioaccumulation factors. All concentrations and the calculated metal pollution index showed significant differences between sites, with particularly high concentrations in the Cabrera Archipelago, a marine protected area (MPA). The datasets were evaluated with the limited information published in the literature for Pinnidae species worldwide. In benthic P. nobilis, concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn are more than 30 times higher and Hg and Pb concentrations are 4 and 7 times higher, respectively, than concentrations in other bivalve species, such as Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae). These observations from species inhabiting nearby ecological habitats of the coastal environment (Pinnidae vs. Mytilidae) are also discussed in the context of current marine monitoring strategies and assessments.Keywords: trace metal; bivalve; mollusc; bioaccumulation; Pinnidae, Mytilidae. Alto contenido de metales en el molusco Pinna nobilis en el Archipiélago Balear (Mediterráneo occidental) y una revisión de las concentraciones en bivalvos marinos (Pinnidae)Resumen: Se investigaron las concentraciones de metales (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb y Zn) en el bivalvo marino Pinna nobilis en diferentes localidades costeras de las Islas de Mallorca y Cabrera (Mar Mediterráneo). Las elevadas concentraciones de metales que se encontraron en los tejidos blandos de P. nobilis revelaron una elevada bioacumulación. Las concentraciones de metales estudiadas, así como el índice de contaminación por metales (ICM) mostraron diferencias significativas entre los sitios, con concentraciones particularmente altas en el archipiélago de Cabrera, un área marina protegida (AMP). Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la escasa información publicada sobre las especies de la familia Pinnidae a nivel mundial. En comparación con otras especies de bivalvos, como Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae), la especie bentónica P. nobilis presentó concentraciones más de 30 veces superiores para Cd, Cu y Zn; y hasta 4 y 7 veces para Hg y Pb, respectivamente. La información recabada sobre estas especies que habitan en ecosistemas costeros (Pinnidae vs. Mytilidae) es discutida en el contexto de las actuales estrategias marinas de seguimiento y evaluación.Palabras clave: metales traza; bivalvo; molusco; bioacumulación; Pinnidae, Mytilidae.Citation/Como citar este artículo: Vázquez-Luis M., Morató M., Campillo J.A., Guitart C., Deudero S. 2016. High metal contents in the fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the Balearic Archipelago (western Mediterranean Sea) and a review of concentrations in marine bivalves (Pinnidae). Sci. Mar. 80(1): 000-000. doi: http://dx

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“…and the decapod Carcinus aestuarii. This codominance of molluscs/polychaetes/crustaceans is common in Mediterranean lagoons, such as Bizerte (Afli et al 2008b) and El�Bibans (Zaouali and Baeten 1985) in Tunisia, that of Biguglia in Corsica (Clanzig 1991), Muggia in Italy (Solis-Weiss et al 2004) and Thau in France (Gangnery et al 2003). Similar results have been also observed between 1986/7 and 2003/4, but in a deteriorating environment, the Swan-Canning Estuary in Australia (Wildsmith et al 2011); the densities and number of species of molluscs, and especially of crustaceans, which are particularly susceptible to environmental stress, declined, while the more tolerant polychaetes increased.…”

Section: Macro-benthic Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Does increased connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea improve the ecological status of the macroinvertebrates in the lagoon of Boughrara (SW Mediterranean)?

Khedhri¹,

Djabou²,

Afli³

2016

Community Ecology

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Abstract:The lagoon of Boughrara is an almost closed system, with limited hydrological connections with the sea. Over the past several decades, the lagoon has been exposed to increased pollution due to growing human activities in the surrounding area. From 2004From -2007, the channel "El-Kantra" connecting the lagoon to the sea has been extended with increased mixing with marine waters. In this work, we monitored the ecosystem of the lagoon after its rapid exposure to development and associated pollution. Two marine surveys were carried out in winter 2010 and then in winter 2013; the sediment was sampled and the principal physical and chemical parameters were measured at 13 stations. Results show that aspects of the environmental quality of the lagoon have improved from 2010 to 2013, most likely due to the extension of the channel whereby lagoon waters are better mixed resulting in improved physico-chemical conditions over this timeframe. Nevertheless, the study of the macrobenthic community did not show any improvement. On the contrary, the species richness and the abundance of the macrofauna have decreased, and some tolerant species such as bivalves (Abra alba and Cerastoderma edule) have increased in abundance. This demonstrates continued impacts on the lagoon ecosystem.

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Effects of industrial and urban pollution on the benthic macrofauna in the Bay of Muggia (industrial port of Trieste, Italy)

Cited by 79 publications

References 10 publications

The Port of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)—A Case Study of the “Ecosystem Approach to Management”

The Port of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)—A Case Study of the “Ecosystem Approach to Management”

High metal contents in the fan mussel <em>Pinna nobilis</em> in the Balearic Archipelago (western Mediterranean Sea) and a review of concentrations in marine bivalves (Pinnidae)

Does increased connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea improve the ecological status of the macroinvertebrates in the lagoon of Boughrara (SW Mediterranean)?

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