Mediterranean Coastal Site Research Articles

Integrative approach to monitoring metazoan diversity and distribution in two Mediterranean coastal sites through morphology and organismal eDNA

Marine and coastal ecosystems respond to climate change in various ways, such as the type of ecosystem, the species composition, interactions, and distribution, and the effect of local stressors. Metazoan organisms, particularly zooplankton, are important indicators for monitoring the effects climate-driven warming in marine coastal ecosystems over the long term. In this study, the diversity and distribution of zooplankton communities in the Mediterranean Sea (Canyon Dohrn and LTER-MareChiara, Gulf of Naples), a known biodiversity and climate changes hotspot, have been assessed using the integration of morphological-based identification and organismal eDNA. Our findings showed that the multi-locus strategy including the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene and the hypervariable region V9 of the 18S rDNA (18S V9) as targets, improved the taxonomic overview, with the COI gene being more effective than the 18S V9 region for metazoans at the species level. However, appendicularians were detected only with the 18S V9 region. Overall, organismal eDNA is a powerful approach for revealing hidden biodiversity, especially for gelatinous and meroplankton components, and provided new insights into biodiversity patterns. The ecological importance of calanoid copepods in coastal ecosystems has been confirmed. In contrast, the discovery of 13 new metazoan records in the Mediterranean Sea, including two non-indigenous copepod species, suggested that local stressors affect zooplankton community structure and resilience, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring and protecting marine coastal ecosystems.

Exposure of wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to sea-level rise in the Mediterranean.

Sea-level rise (SLR) is expected to cause major changes to coastal wetlands, which are among the world's most vulnerable ecosystems and are critical for nonbreeding waterbirds. Because strategies for adaptation to SLR, such as nature-based solutions and designation of protected areas, can locally reduce the negative effects of coastal flooding under SLR on coastal wetlands, it is crucial to prioritize adaptation efforts, especially for wetlands of international importance for biodiversity. We assessed the exposure of coastal wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to projected SLR along the Mediterranean coasts of 8 countries by modeling future coastal flooding under 7 scenarios of SLR by 2100 (from 44- to 161-cm rise) with a static inundation approach. Exposure to coastal flooding under future SLR was assessed for 938 Mediterranean coastal sites (≤30km from the coastline) where 145 species of nonbreeding birds were monitored as part of the International Waterbird Census and for which the monitoring area was delineated by a polygon (64.3% of the coastal sites monitored in the Mediterranean region). Thirty-four percent of sites were threatened by future SLR, even under the most optimistic scenarios. Protected study sites and study sites of international importance for waterbirds were, respectively, 1.5 and 2 times more exposed to SLR than the other sites under the most optimistic scenario. Accordingly, we advocate for the development of a prioritization scheme to be applied to these wetlands for the implementation of strategies for adaptation to SLR to anticipate the effects of coastal flooding. Our study provides major guidance for conservation planning under global change in several countries of the Mediterranean region.

Plasticity of the Anemonia viridis microbiota in response to different levels of combined anthropogenic and environmental stresses

Despite their recognized primary importance, marine coastal ecosystems around the globe are currently under threat, being subject to continuous local and global anthropogenic stressors. In this frame, understanding the response of coastal habitat-forming species to multiple stressors and their resilience is fundamental for the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. In the present study, to provide some glimpses in this direction, we explored the response of theAnemonia viridis-associated microbiota to the combined anthropogenic stressors, which typically affect touristic hotspots at Mediterranean coastal sites. To this aim, two case studies have been carried out, the first in the Riccione coastal site (Italy, Center Mediterranean) and the second at Cap de Creus (Spain, North-western Mediterranean), where theA. viridismicrobiota was assessed under the conditions of both high and low anthropogenic pressure. According to our findings, theA. viridismicrobiota showed a relevant degree of plasticity in response to combined anthropogenic and environmental stressors, with changes that also mirrored variations in the surrounding seawater, thus indicating a close connection with the environment, from which potential symbiotic partners are selected. However, this potentially adaptive process also has a limitation, as observed in the highly anthropogenic impact site of Cap de Creus, whereA. viridis-associated microbiota appeared completely unstructured, as demonstrated by an increased dispersion according to the Anna Karenina principle. This raises the question about the resilience of theA. viridis-associated microbiota under combined climate and anthropogenic threats, as well as of the anthropogenic factors driving the observed dysbiosis changes.

Mass concentrations and elemental analysis of PM2.5 and PM10 in a coastal Mediterranean site: A holistic approach to identify contributing sources and varying factors.

PM10 and PM2.5 were measured at a suburban coastal Mediterranean site. Daily mass concentrations were generally lower than the WHO air quality limits but showed significant diurnal and seasonal variations, with intensive African dust events and residential heating emissions during wintertime causing the higher % increase of ambient concentrations (32% and 59% respectively). However, analysis of the elemental content revealed intrinsic characteristics. Statistically significant seasonal variability was found for S with higher concentrations during warm seasons directly associated with the formation of secondary sulfates. Increased S was the driving reason for the significant depletion of both Cl and Br. On the other hand, elevated K during wintertime was attributed to biomass burning. Analysis of the mineral content of airborne particles showed that typical soil-derived particles were significantly increased during dust events (Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe) although the corresponding mass concentrations preserved relative low levels (<30 μg m-3). It was also found that dust events contributed to P, S, V, Zn, Sr and Pb with elemental ratios including Si (Si/Al, Si/Fe, Si/Ca) and Ca/Al serving as good markers for African dust. Heavy metals were found to have both direct and indirect influence on PM2.5 and PM10. PM2.5 were primarily enriched with metals produced from motor vehicles (Cu, Zn, Pb) and ships (V, Ni), whilst, PM10 enriched indirectly with Cr, Zn, Br and Pb due to road dust. At the end, source appointment has shown that the dominant contributing factor was mineral dust for both metrics (>30%) but significant contributions arose from secondary sulfates and traffic, (aged) sea salt, biomass burning (only for PM2.5) and road dust (only for PM10). Overall, this work provides a novel insight on the characteristics and chemical profile of atmospheric particles in a suburban environment largely affected by local, regional and long-range sources.

Geographic distribution of the V1016G knockdown resistance mutation in Aedes albopictus: a warning bell for Europe

BackgroundColonization of large part of Europe by the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is causing autochthonous transmission of chikungunya and dengue exotic arboviruses. While pyrethroids are recommended only to reduce/limit transmission, they are widely implemented to reduce biting nuisance and to control agricultural pests, increasing the risk of insurgence of resistance mechanisms. Worryingly, pyrethroid resistance (with mortality < 70%) was recently reported in Ae. albopictus populations from Italy and Spain and associated with the V1016G point mutation in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene conferring knockdown resistance (kdr). Genotyping pyrethroid resistance-associated kdr mutations in field mosquito samples represents a powerful approach to detect early signs of resistance without the need for carrying out phenotypic bioassays which require availability of live mosquitoes, dedicated facilities and appropriate expertise.MethodsHere we report results on the PCR-genotyping of the V1016G mutation in 2530 Ae. albopictus specimens from 69 sampling sites in 19 European countries.ResultsThe mutation was identified in 12 sites from nine countries (with allele frequencies ranging from 1 to 8%), mostly distributed in two geographical clusters. The western cluster includes Mediterranean coastal sites from Italy, France and Malta as well as single sites from both Spain and Switzerland. The eastern cluster includes sites on both sides of the Black Sea in Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia as well as one site from Romania. These results are consistent with genomic data showing high connectivity and close genetic relationship among West European populations and a major barrier to gene flow between West European and Balkan populations.ConclusionsThe results of this first effort to map kdr mutations in Ae. albopictus on a continental scale show a widespread presence of the V1016G allele in Europe, although at lower frequencies than those previously reported from Italy. This represents a wake-up call for mosquito surveillance programs in Europe to include PCR-genotyping of pyrethroid resistance alleles, as well as phenotypic resistance assessments, in their routine activities.Graphical

New Insights on Phytoplankton Communities as a Tool for the Sustainable Management of the Musselculture in a Mediterranean Coastal Site

A simulation of phytoplankton dynamics in the coastal shellfish farming site of Mar Piccolo in Taranto (Ionian, Mediterranean Sea) is here reported. This simulation is an element of a greater ecological model produced taking into account the System Approach Framework. The model represents a refinement of a previous phytoplankton tool aimed to better understand the complex mosaic of the ecosystem functioning by providing additional information to support mussel farming. In particular, throughout the years the increase of water temperature and intensive musselculture caused a phytoplankton size and biomass reduction. Results of our simulation evidenced that the phytoplankton tool reproduced the size-fractions (micro-, nano- and picophytoplankton) biomass growth and the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) grazing with a good level of performance. This newly calibrated phytoplankton model aims to provide new insights on modelling scenarios for the sustainable production of mussels.

Photoperiod-driven rhythms reveal multi-decadal stability of phytoplankton communities in a highly fluctuating coastal environment

Phytoplankton play a pivotal role in global biogeochemical and trophic processes and provide essential ecosystem services. However, there is still no broad consensus on how and to what extent their community composition responds to environmental variability. Here, high-frequency oceanographic and biological data collected over more than 25 years in a coastal Mediterranean site are used to shed light on the temporal patterns of phytoplankton species and assemblages in their environmental context. Because of the proximity to the coast and due to large-scale variations, environmental conditions showed variability on the short and long-term scales. Nonetheless, an impressive regularity characterised the annual occurrence of phytoplankton species and their assemblages, which translated into their remarkable stability over decades. Photoperiod was the dominant factor related to community turnover and replacement, which points at a possible endogenous regulation of biological processes associated with species-specific phenological patterns, in analogy with terrestrial plants. These results highlight the considerable stability and resistance of phytoplankton communities in response to different environmental pressures, which contrast the view of these organisms as passively undergoing changes that occur at different temporal scales in their habitat, and show how, under certain conditions, biological processes may prevail over environmental forcing.

Daytime and nighttime chemical and optical properties of fine and coarse particles at a central Mediterranean coastal site.

The characterization of the day-to-night changes of the atmospheric particle chemical and optical properties in autumn-winter (AW) and spring-summer (SS) is the main goal of this study to contribute to the characterization and understanding of the particulate matter (PM) impact on the environment and climate at one of the most vulnerable areas of the planet to climate change. To this end, PM10 and PM2.5 samples from 14 January 2016 to 5 January 2017 have been collected in Lecce, a coastal site of South-Eastern Italy (40.33°N, 18.11°E), and day-to-night changes of mass concentrations of both fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-PM2.5) particles and corresponding chemical species have been assessed both in AW and in SS. The statistical analysis of local meteorological parameters and their correlations with PM2.5 and chemical species mass concentrations have indicated that the day-to-night changes of temperature (T) and wind speed (WS) likely affected the day-to-night changes of mass concentrations, because of the T and WS impact on the atmospheric turbulence and air particle dispersion. The daily evolution of the anthropogenic activities and the planetary-boundary-layer height likely contributed to the day-to-night changes of the particle chemical composition. The stagnant atmospheric conditions prevailing in SS all over the Mediterranean basin, which favoured the mixing and the accumulation of atmospheric particles from different pollution sources, likely contributed to the changes of the relationships between chemical species and meteorological parameters from AW to SS at daytime and nighttime. The analysis of the aerosol scattering coefficient, scattering Ångström exponent, and scattering Ångström exponent difference, retrieved from nephelometer measurements co-located in space and time with the PM samplings, has allowed characterizing the day-to-night change of the aerosol optical properties. The relationships between the particle chemical and optical properties allowed a good understanding of their changes both in AW and in SS.

Potential Human and Plant Pathogenic Species in Airborne PM10 Samples and Relationships with Chemical Components and Meteorological Parameters

A preliminary local database of potential (opportunistic) airborne human and plant pathogenic and non-pathogenic species detected in PM10 samples collected in winter and spring is provided, in addition to their seasonal dependence and relationships with meteorological parameters and PM10 chemical species. The PM10 samples, collected at a Central Mediterranean coastal site, were analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach, and Spearman correlation coefficients and redundancy discriminant analysis tri-plots were used to investigate the main relationships. The screening of 1187 detected species allowed for the detection of 76 and 27 potential (opportunistic) human and plant pathogens, respectively. The bacterial structure of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species varied from winter to spring and, consequently, the inter-species relationships among potential human pathogens, plant pathogens, and non-pathogenic species varied from winter to spring. Few non-pathogenic species and even fewer potential human pathogens were significantly correlated with meteorological parameters, according to the Spearman correlation coefficients. Conversely, several potential plant pathogens were strongly and positively correlated with temperature and wind speed and direction both in winter and in spring. The number of strong relationships between presumptive (human and plant) pathogens and non-pathogens, and meteorological parameters slightly increased from winter to spring. The sample chemical composition also varied from winter to spring. Some potential human and plant pathogens were correlated with chemicals mainly associated with marine aerosol and/or with soil dust, likely because terrestrial and aquatic environments were the main habitats of the detected bacterial species. The carrier role on the species seasonal variability was also investigated.

Concentrations of Gaseous Elemental Mercury in the Atmosphere of a Mediterranean Coastal Site in Greece

Gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) was monitored in the atmosphere of a coastal site situated in the Northern Aegean Sea of Greece from August 2014 to January 2015. The selected sampling site is seldom impacted by human activities. Thus, it was possible to study the processes involved in natural terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. The diurnal and monthly variations in the concentration of GEM as well as the factors influencing these variations were determined. The GEM concentrations were found to be in the range from 0.63 to 4.44 ng m–3 during data acquisition. The mean GEM concentration was about 1.04 ±0.30 ng m–3. Higher concentrations and variability were observed during the summer than in fall and winter. In addition, increased GEM concentrations were measured during midday. The diurnal and monthly variations in GEMwere possibly affected by solar radiation, temperature, vegetation, and boundary layer height. Various peaks were observed for air masses of terrestrial origin, possibly due to the small extent of biomass burning as well as rainfall. The background concentrations of GEM in the studied coastal site were around 1.50 ng m–3. The sampling site is a complex environment as this coastal region has seasonal surface water in the mainland and extended areas of grassland and vegetated surfaces. All individual parameters of this area play significant roles in determining GEM concentrations.

Implementation and assessment of a carbonate system model (Eco3M-CarbOx v1.1) in a highly dynamic Mediterranean coastal site (Bay of Marseille, France)

Abstract. A carbonate chemistry balance module was implemented into a biogeochemical model of the planktonic food web. The model, named Eco3M-CarbOx, includes 22 state variables that are dispatched into 5 compartments: phytoplankton, heterotrophic bacteria, detrital particulate organic matter, labile dissolved organic, and inorganic matter. This model is applied to and evaluated in the Bay of Marseille (BoM, France), which is a coastal zone impacted by the urbanized and industrialized Aix–Marseille Metropolis, and subject to significant increases in anthropogenic emissions of CO2. The model was evaluated over the year 2017, for which in situ data of the carbonate system are available in the study site. The biogeochemical state variables of the model only change with time, to represent the time evolution of a sea surface water cell in response to the implemented realistic forcing conditions. The model correctly simulates the value ranges and seasonal dynamics of most of the variables of the carbonate system except for the total alkalinity. Several numerical experiments were conducted to test the response of carbonate system to (i) a seawater temperature increase, (ii) wind events, (iii) Rhône River plume intrusions, and (iv) different levels of atmospheric CO2 contents. This set of numerical experiments shows that the Eco3M-CarbOx model provides expected responses in the alteration of the marine carbonate balance regarding each of the considered perturbation. When the seawater temperature changes quickly, the behavior of the BoM waters alters within a few days from a source of CO2 to the atmosphere to a sink into the ocean. Moreover, the higher the wind speed is, the higher the air–sea CO2 gas exchange fluxes are. The river intrusions with nitrate supplies lead to a decrease in the pCO2 value, favoring the conditions of a sink for atmospheric CO2 into the BoM. A scenario of high atmospheric concentrations of CO2 also favors the conditions of a sink for atmospheric CO2 into the waters of the BoM. Thus the model results suggest that external forcings have an important impact on the carbonate equilibrium in this coastal area.

Management systems of adhesive materials throughout the Neolithic in the North-West Mediterranean

Plant resins, tars and organic fossil substances provide valuable insights into the ecological, environmental and cultural contexts of ancient societies. Their study offers evidence of past know-how, production systems, socio-economic networks and mobility. In this paper, we present new data from 16 sites located in the North-West Mediterranean that provide new insights into the exploitation of these substances for their adhesive and hydrophobic properties throughout the Neolithic (6000-2500 cal BCE). The substances investigated are discussed in the light of their molecular composition, their uses and manufacturing processes. Spatial analyses were also performed to elucidate raw material procurement strategies.This study considerably increases the body of data available from the Mediterranean and tells a diachronic story of adhesive production and use throughout the Neolithic, highlighting the variability and complexity of production systems and supply networks at different spatial scales. While most adhesive and hydrophobic substances were probably collected locally, birch bark tar was very likely transported across long distances to reach Mediterranean coastal sites. Birch bark tar exploitation intensified in South-Eastern France during the Middle Neolithic, while the Late Neolithic is characterised by a diversification of the substances employed and their range of uses: bitumen, birch bark tar (pure or mixed with Pinaceae resin, beeswax and possibly fat/oil) were important materials that were used for a variety of purposes. Pure Pinaceae exudates were exclusively employed for waterproofing pottery. We also highlight the standardisation of birch bark tar production for adhesive manufacture observed in Provence during the first part of the 4th millennium cal. BCE.

Airborne bacteria in the Central Mediterranean: Structure and role of meteorology and air mass transport

The 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach has been used to characterize the structure of the airborne bacterial community of PM10 samples, and investigate the dependence on meteorology, seasons, and long-range transported air masses. The PM10 samples were collected at a Central Mediterranean coastal site, away from large sources of local pollution. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, which were found in all samples, were the most abundant phyla. Calothrix, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus were the most abundant genera. The within-sample relative abundance (RA) of each phylum/genus varied from sample to sample. Calothrix was the most abundant genus during the advection of desert dust and Atlantic air masses, Pseudomonas was the most abundant genus when the advected air flows spent several hours over lands or close to lands affected by anthropogenic activities, before reaching the study site.The bacterial community richness and biodiversity of the PM10 samples on average increased from winter to spring, while the sample dissimilarity on average decreased from winter to spring. The spring meteorological conditions over the Mediterranean, which have likely contributed to maintain for longer time the bacterial community in the atmosphere, could have been responsible for the above results.The analysis of the presumptive species-level characterization of the airborne bacterial community has revealed that the abundance of human (opportunistic) pathogens was highly inhomogeneous among samples, without any significant change from winter to spring. We also found that the PM10 samples collected during the advection of desert dust and Atlantic air masses were on average the less enriched in human (opportunistic) pathogenic species.

Seasonal comparison of beach litter on Mediterranean coastal sites (Alicante, SE Spain)

Presence of beach litter was assessed during spring and summer seasons 2018, at 56 sites along the coast of Alicante Province (SE Spain). Selected sites covered “remote” (9), “rural” (10) “village” (17) and “urban” (20) bathing areas. In an area of 201,700 m2, a total of 10,101 litter items (Avg: 0.062 items m-2) was counted in spring, and 20,857 (Avg: 0.116 items m−2) in summer. The most significant seasonal evolution was observed in the cigarette butt, group which increased from 4607 to 12843 units. Plastic represented the dominant material in both seasons (82.6 and 83.5% respectively). Litter items increased greatly during the summer season despite the increasing frequency of cleaning operations and were essentially related to beach users activities. Secondarily, beach litter was related to wastewater discharges and fishing activities. Beach litter management along investigated sites must be based on plans to reduce litter sources. For that, it is necessary to consider beach typology along with the seasonal influx of visitors to define the most appropriate management actions, not forgetting the implementation of environmental education, essential in schools and media.

Anthropogenic impact on nitrification dynamics in coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea

The anthropogenic alteration of the nitrogen cycle results in the modification of the whole food web. And yet, the impact caused on nitrogen dynamics in marine systems is still very uncertain. We propose a workflow to evaluate changes to coastal nitrification by modelling nitrite dynamics, the intermediary compound. Nitrite concentrations were estimated with a simple steady state nitrification model, which was calibrated in 9 NW Mediterranean coastal sites with different anthropogenic pressures, located within 250 km. The results obtained indicate that nitrite peaks are observed in winter and explained by nitrification response to temperature, but these dynamics are altered in impacted coastal waters. We found the second step of nitrification to be more sensitive to temperature, which entails a significant impact of climate change on the decoupling of the two steps of nitrification. The results could be extrapolated to numerous coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea with similar characteristics.

Multidisciplinary tools for sustainable management of an ecosystem service: The case study of mussel farming in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Mediterranean, Ionian Sea)

This paper describes the development of multidisciplinary simulation tools based on a system approach, and its contribution to local political debate on sustainable shellfish farming in a Mediterranean coastal site (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, Ionian Sea). Remote sensing images were used for the first time to count mussel culture plants and to validate information provided by stakeholders and farmers. The data obtained were even more important considering the lack of reliable official statistics. Further, a model was developed to simulate exploratory scenarios. In the modelling platform, the ecosystem and individual mussel growth models (built in the frame of the EU Integrated Project SPICOSA, Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment) are combined with the Mussel Farm Model (MFM). The simulated scenarios suggested that: 1. Farming is unsustainable, because it exceeds the system carrying capacity; 2. Plant overloading is exacerbated by the negative effects of recurrent heatwaves; 3. Sustainable management measures should be applied to obtain individuals of good quality as well as to extend the juveniles sale period and cope with climate crises. The results show that the described tools may help in the design of viable policies based on operational objectives and feasible technical options. Since until now, production trends cannot be determined based on natural and social factors alone, once applied, this tool will allow for a more exemplary production system. It could also become a good practice example towards a more sustainable development of coastal zones.

Ground level ice nucleating particles measurements at Capo Granitola, a Mediterranean coastal site

This study presents near-surface measurements of ice nucleating particle (INP) concentrations at a ground level Mediterranean site (Capo Granitola, CGR), located in southern Sicily. A coastal area like CGR can be influenced by marine and anthropogenic aerosols, and even by Saharan dust. To obtain the INP concentration in the PM1 and PM10 fractions, an experimental campaign was carried out in April 2016 at the WMO/GAW “I-AMICA” Observatory. Aerosol was sampled on nitrocellulose membranes twice a day. INP concentrations were detected by a dynamic filter processing chamber (DFPC), a replica of the Langer dynamic chamber, at −18 °C and − 22 °C activation temperatures, at different conditions of supersaturation with respect to ice and water.The sampling period was characterized by three main wind directions, along the coast (from North-West and from South-East), during daytime, and mainly from the land side during the night. INP concentration, in the PM10 size fraction, ranged 0.5–27, 3.3–65 and 13–115 m−3, at −18 °C below water saturation, at −18 °C at water supersaturation and at −22 °C at water supersaturation, respectively.Two weak dust transport events occurred during the experimental campaign, both characterized by an increase in coarse particle number and PM10 concentration, not associated with fine particles or other pollutants. Air mass back-trajectories, during the events, were observed to originate from the North African region.Results of the experimental campaign were compared with INP concentrations previously measured at San Pietro Capofiume, a rural site in the Po Valley, and at Mt. Cimone (“O. Vittori” Italian Climate Observatory, 2165 m a.s.l) in the northern Apennines. Both INP concentrations, in the PM1 and PM10 fractions, and activated fractions, at CGR, were prevalently lower than the concentrations obtained at the other two sites. This may be, likely, related to the lower nucleation efficiency of soluble marine aerosols and aged dust particles, partly coated and mixed with hygroscopic material, at CGR.

Assessing phytoplankton community composition using combined pigment and particle size distribution analysis

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 594:51-63 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12559 Assessing phytoplankton community composition using combined pigment and particle size distribution analysis Joan S. Font-Muñoz1,*, Antoni Jordi2,5, Sílvia Anglès1, Pere Ferriol3, Esther Garcés4, Gotzon Basterretxea1 1Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC), Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain 2Davidson Laboratory, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA 3Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain 4Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain 5Present address: Jupiter Intelligence, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA *Corresponding author: jfont@imedea.uib-csic.es ABSTRACT: Changes in phytoplankton composition reveal relevant information about the response of aquatic systems to environmental drivers. Here, we propose the combined use of particle size measurements and pigment signatures to analyze the changes in the composition of phytoplankton communities at a coastal location. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was applied to separate phytoplankton signals from non-algal components of particulate matter in concurrent measurements of particle size distribution and pigment concentrations (chlorophylls a, b and c). Using this method, we were able to identify phytoplankton community structure variations at size and functional levels associated with the water column during the spring to summer transition at a Mediterranean coastal site. Some taxa with characteristic size spectrum signatures such as Pseudo-nitzschia sp., which produced an intense (up to 5 x 105 cells l-1), but ephemeral bloom, could also be identified. The general patterns of phytoplankton succession obtained using this methodology were corroborated by light microscopy and flow cytometry identification. Phytoplankton biovolume comparisons between both methods were highly consistent (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). We consider that combined pigment and size structure analysis using CCA is a useful tool to determine reorganization patterns of phytoplankton via changes in species composition. KEY WORDS: Phytoplankton · Size distribution · Pigments · Canonical correlation analysis · Chlorophyll Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Font-Muñoz JS, Jordi A, Anglès S, Ferriol P, Garcés E, Basterretxea G (2018) Assessing phytoplankton community composition using combined pigment and particle size distribution analysis. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 594:51-63. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12559 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 594. Online publication date: April 26, 2018 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research.

Diurnal variations in personal care products in seawater and mussels at three Mediterranean coastal sites.

The presence of personal care products (PCPs) in the marine environment is of major concern. PCPs, UV filters, and musks can enter the marine environment indirectly through wastewater or directly via recreational activities. We conducted this study to document patterns in the occurrence of seven PCPs at three coastal sites impacted by recreational activities during 1day. The study focused on diurnal variations in these seven PCPs in seawater and indigenous mussels. In seawater, UV filters showed diurnal variations that mirrored variations in recreational activities at the sites. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and octocrylene (OC) water concentrations increased from under the limit of quantification in the morning to 106 and 369ng/L, respectively, when recreational activities were the highest. In mussels, diurnal variations in OC were observed, with the lowest concentrations recorded in the morning and then increasing throughout the day. As Mytilus spp. are widely used as sentinels in coastal pollution monitoring programs (mussel watch), our findings on diurnal variations could enhance sampling recommendations for recreational sites impacted by PCPs.

Seasonal and interannual variability of phytoplankton community structure in a Mediterranean coastal site

Seasonal and interannual variability of phytoplankton community structure in a Mediterranean coastal site