Northern Adriatic Lagoon Research Articles

Beached swords from Marano Lagoon (northern Adriatic) reveal ancient land–sea connections and recent coastal evolution

AbstractDepositional and erosional processes, subsidence and sea‐level changes have strongly modified the coastal landscape of northern Adriatic lagoons. Such rapid transformations have induced significant consequences on human settlements and, thus, on the archaeological visibility of the area, still largely unexplored. We present here six metal swords fortuitously retrieved by fishermen over the last decades in front of the barrier islands of Marano Lagoon (north‐eastern Italy). Multi‐analytical analyses carried out on the artefacts (X‐ray radiography and computed micro‐tomography, radiocarbon dating and typo‐chronology) combined with the study of the coastal paleo‐environment (mainly based on historical cartography and remote sensing) allowed the items’ main features to be defined, and highlighted both the historical importance of the area and the significant morphological changes that have occurred there over the last millennium. Data presented indicate that Marano Lagoon was a major hub in the northern Adriatic in the Late Middle Ages, during the crucial period of the Crusades, and in Early Modern times, connecting inland Europe with the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the research highlights the onset of coastal erosion that occurred in the last century after a phase of relatively geomorphic stability, possibly deriving from the intensification of human impact and climate change.

Isotope Geochemistry for Seafood Traceability and Authentication: The Northern Adriatic Manila Clams Case Study.

In Italy, the production of manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum, Adams and Reeve, 1850) is mainly localized in northern Adriatic lagoons in the Po River delta, where shellfish farming provides important socio-economic revenue. However, in our globalized world, the seafood market is threated by fraudulent activities, in which agri-food products whose provenance is not certified are sold, posing a risk to consumer health. Multi-isotope ratio analysis is commonly used to trace the provenance of goods produced in different countries with different climatic and environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the reliability of this approach in terms of tracing the exact provenance of manila clams harvested in three Adriatic northern lagoons that are close to each other. We also verified the origin of samples bought at a local supermarket with a certificate of provenance. We carried out elemental analyses of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) and the respective isotopic ratios (13C/12C; 15N/14N; 34S/32S) on manila clam tissues, plus isotopic analyses of carbon (13C/12C), oxygen (18O/16O), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) on manila clam shells. Each isotopic parameter can be used to identify the marine and continental contributions of water and/or nutrient supplies occurring in the lagoons. Therefore, the combination of isotopic parameters in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) allowed for the identification of the lagoons in which the manila clams were produced.

New records of Charybdis japonica (A. Milne-Edwards, 1861) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae) in the Adriatic Sea

Fifteen years after the first capture of a specimen of Charybdis japonica in the Adriatic Sea, we report the collection of two more specimens near the port of Ravenna. This swimming crab, native from the North Western Pacific, has already proved its invasive capacity in New Zealand coastal waters. Its possible establishment in the northern Adriatic lagoons may represent a treat for the local Manila clam fishery and aquaculture activities.

Environmental characteristics of shallow bottoms used by Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusin a northern Adriatic lagoon

AbstractSince the beginning of this century, Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusflocks have been observed regularly when feeding in the large extensions of shallow bottoms in the Lagoon of Venice (NE Italy), the largest lagoon along the Mediterranean. Nowadays thousands of flamingos are present throughout the year. Between 2013 and 2017 I collected data on the environmental features of the shallow bottoms used by feeding flocks, along with measurements of flight initiation distance (FID) of Greater Flamingo in response to the approach of boats and pedestrians. Shallow bottoms were shown to be used when covered with approximately 10 to 60 cm of water. All the feeding sites were in open landscapes, with low occurrence of saltmarshes in a radius of 500 m. The bottoms were barely covered with seagrasses (<4% of the surface around the survey points) and were mostly silty. Feeding flocks were on average 1.2 km far from the nearest road or dyke, while the mean distance from channels that could be used by boats was about 420 m. The mean FID caused by boats or pedestrians was 241 m ± 117 m (N = 31, ± 1 SD) without significant differences between those for the two disturbance sources. The use of shallow bottoms by the Greater Flamingo appears governed primarily by the tidal cycle, but boat disturbance probably modifies this effect. According to FID values, a set-back distance of 465 m is suggested to reduce the disturbance caused by boats and pedestrians to the flamingo feeding flocks.

Decline of the Manila clams stock in the northern Adriatic lagoons

The Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, introduced in the Venice lagoons in 1983 and rapidly spread to the nearby coastal lagoons represents one of the most important commercially-exploited resources of this area. Abundance, size-class and biomass distribution of the wild population living in the Pialassa Baiona lagoon were assessed and related to the hydrological and sediment characteristics. Despite the lagoon being affected by eutrophication, chemical and thermal pollution, the clams were harvested by about thirty professional fishermen until 2003. The commercially available stock was estimated at 36.8 10 3 kg in July 2002, 29.3 10 3 kg in April 2003, and 10.3 10 3 kg in October 2003. Stock estimations and observed mortality were in good accordance with the fishermen data. The decline of the available stock could be due to both overfishing and the extraordinary summer heat wave occurred in 2003, which may have reduced larval recruitment and increased the mortality. Overall, the juvenile recruitment appeared insufficient to annually restore the natural stock. Although the national and regional high relevance of clams market, local harvesting of wild populations appeared marginal and inadequate to support a remunerative commercial activity, due to the variability and unpredictability of the annual yield and the lack of a sustainable management based on a production chain’s approach.

Natural background values for heavy metals in the sediments of a contaminated Northern Adriatic lagoon environment: a geochemical perspective

Major and trace elements were determined in 14 sediment cores collected from the Marano and Grado Lagoon (northern Adriatic sea). The lagoon is contaminated by several harmful priority substances, heavy metals included, and it has also been declared a polluted site of national interest (SIN) mainly due to high Hg concentrations in sediments. Based on a normalization procedure involving predicted linear relationships for vs Al obtained from the core subsamples, background values for each metal were evaluated on a regional scale and according to the grain-size variability. Compared to Environmental Quality Standards reported in the Italian laws and regulations, the estimated background ranges show that bottom sediments are naturally enriched in some metals, such as Cr, Ni and Cd especially in sediments with a high percentage of the fine component. A correct evaluation on sediment quality status should be made on the basis of regional background values for each metal, taking into account local geochemical characteristics, i.e. mineralogical composition and grain-size variability of sediments.

Benthic flux measurements of Hg species in a northern Adriatic lagoon environment (Marano and Grado Lagoon, Italy)

As part of the “MIRACLE” project, the biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) at the sediment–water interface was studied in the field in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea). Seasonal investigations were conducted at selected experimental sites, where Manila Clams (Tapes philippinarum) were previously seeded. Measurements were performed seasonally during three campaigns, using two benthic chambers, one transparent and one dark, to evaluate the effect of light on Hg cycling. Total dissolved Hg (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and dissolved gaseous Hg (DGM) species were considered. Diurnal benthic fluxes were found to significantly exceed the diffusive fluxes at all stations. The assessment of the annual recycling of Hg species from sediments to the water column showed that up to 99% of MeHg is recycled annually to the water column, while Hg recycling ranges from 30 to 60%. MeHg poses the higher risk for potential bioaccumulation in clams, but it is partially mitigated by Hg reduction, which seems to be an important process leading to evasion losses of Hg from these environments. Estimated benthic fluxes suggest that Hg recycling at the sediment–water interface is more active in the Grado sector. Hence, based on the estimated release of MeHg from sediments, it is suggested that the western sector seems to be more suitable for clam farming and the extension of rearing activities.

Population and habitat status of two endemic sand gobies in lagoon marshes – Implications for conservation

Ensuring biodiversity, through the conservation of natural habitats, such as wetlands, and of their wild flora and fauna, is the main objective of the Habitat and Species Directive 92/43/EC. Within this framework, two species of Community interest, Pomatoschistus canestrinii and Knipowitschia panizzae (Gobiidae, Osteichthyes), endemisms of the Northern Adriatic lagoons, were considered. The population structure, reproductive effort, somatic growth and production of such species were investigated in marsh habitats of the Venice lagoon, as indicators of the status of the populations and their habitats. The lagoon marsh habitats hosted abundant and well structured populations, functioning also as breeding areas for these species. A certain spatial variability was also observed, possibly related to the shelter conditions of different marsh sub-habitats (e.g. marsh creeks vs. adjacent mudflats). These results were discussed in the light of the available ecological knowledge on the two species, with a particular attention to the conservation priority focused on the protection of biodiversity and of key habitats.

Short-term hypoxia modulates Rapana venosa (Muricidae) prey preference in Adriatic lagoons

We studied the effect of short-term hypoxia on predation by the non-native rapa whelk (Rapana venosa) on the three most common bivalve prey in northern Adriatic lagoons: the non-native ark shell (Scapharca inaequivalvis) and Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum), and the native cockle Cerastoderma glaucum. In mesocosm experiments, bivalves were offered to predator as single prey, and as multiple choice of prey. Bivalve prey showed behavioral responses when exposed to short-term hypoxia. Under normoxia, prey were consumed in almost equal numbers when offered separately, but when choice was offered to the predator R. venosa showed a marked preference for S. inaequivalvis. Short-term hypoxia increased the vulnerability of T. philippinarum, and, consequently, rapa whelks modified their predatory behavior and switched their preference to T. philippinarum. We hypothesize this to be a case of environmentally-mediated, non-reciprocal indirect interaction between the two non-native prey species, whose causes are based upon differences in specific traits of prey. Hypoxia may facilitate the coexistence of the two non-native bivalves via predator switching. The native cockle seems the net loser of the game.

Estimating clam recruitment potential in a nursery area in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Italy)

The assessment of clam recruitment potential is a necessary step to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the exploitation activities in a regulated fishery. We discuss the application of a method for estimating the clam recruitment potential in a natural nursery area (the so‐called Bassona) of a northern Adriatic lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Italy). Larvae in the plankton were collected at weekly intervals, while post‐larvae that settled were analysed monthly. Planktonic larval and benthic post‐larval cohorts were determined, and growth and mortality rates were calculated. The theoretical formulation derived allows the estimate of the future abundance of juvenile clams during their first year of benthic life.

Response of a Fuzzy INdex of Ecosystem integrity (FINE) to water and sedimentary chemical data in two northern Adriatic lagoons

The European WFD (2000/60/EC) requires the assessment of the ecological quality status of water bodies, and gives great importance to the biological components of the ecosystem. A multimetric, fuzzy-based index for the evaluation of environmental quality (FINE: Fuzzy INdex of Ecosystem integrity) has been developed. The FINE index was calculated at 7 sites in the Sacca di Goro and the Valli di Comacchio (Adriatic Sea), where water and sedimentary chemical data were available for the years 2004 and 2005. A significant positive correlation was found between FINE values and dissolved oxygen, while significant negative correlations were observed between FINE values and transparency, nitrogen and phosphorous in the water column, and heavy metals and PCB in the sediments.

Sediment storage at tidal inlets in northern Adriatic lagoons: Ebb-tidal delta morphodynamics, conservation and sand use strategies

Several morphological and sedimentological investigations were carried out along barrier islands in the northern Adriatic (Italy) in order to evaluate the sand reservoir potential associated with ebb-tidal deltas. The classical exponential A– P (cross-sectional area vs. spring tidal prism) relationship was used to draw a synthesis of the hydrodynamic equilibrium conditions and demonstrates that both natural and artificially fixed inlets exhibit the same morphological adaptations to tidal conditions. A new semi-automatic geostatistical GIS procedure was developed to process bathymetrical data. With this, a first estimate of ebb-delta volumes, was obtained. Sand storage potential at natural and almost natural inlets varied considerably, as a function of the tidal prism, from ca. 0.27 × 10 6 to ca. 11 × 10 6 m 3. The same procedure, applied to the large jettied inlet of Lido, produced 10% of the expected volume that was calculated with the tidal prism. The immaturity status of the ebb delta was confirmed by the application of a simplified version of the Tidal Inlet Reservoir Model, which takes into account the time delay of sand bypassing inside the inlet system. This study also presents the use of GIS as a tool for cataloguing sediment stored in ebb deltas with the potential application of using this material for nourishment plans aimed at restoring neighbouring beaches which are subject to erosion.

Estimating clam yield potential in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Italy) by using a two-part conditional model

The assessment of clam yield potential and the identification of suitable sites for clam rearing are a necessary step to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the exploitation activities in a regulated fishery. We discuss the development, validation and application of a method for estimating the clam yield potential of a northern Adriatic lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Italy) by combining logistic and ordinary regression. Clam yield potential was derived on the basis of six environmental parameters, namely sediment type, dissolved oxygen, salinity, hydrodynamism, water depth and chlorophyll “a”. Density data were positively skewed and contained a substantial proportion of zero values due to the patchy-distribution of Tapes philippinarum. The original data set was divided in two parts: one indicating if T. philippinarum was present or not and the other indicating the abundance of the species when it was present. The presence data was modelled by using logistic regression and the abundance data was separately modelled by using ordinary regression. The two models were then combined to identify suitable sites, to compute the expected clam yield potential in the Goro lagoon and to define the role of each environmental parameter in determining clam presence and abundance. The two-part model was then validated on a further data set ( R 2 = 0.87). Data on environmental parameters gathered in 15 sampling sites were interpolated via a nearest neighbour algorithm so as to derive maps of each environmental parameter for the whole lagoon. Finally, the two-part model was applied to derive the thematic maps of suitable sites for clam rearing and the corresponding yield potential. We claim that this reasonably rapid and cost-effective approach provides a rigorous framework for a fair partition of harvesting concessions among competitive users and for a substantial improvement of transparency in the decision-making process.

Clam farming quality as a management tool: A proposal based on recent studies in Northern Adriatic lagoons

The rapid and extensive spread of the clam Tapes philippinarum in Northern Adriatic lagoons, mostly in the lagoon of Venice (550 kmq), has led to severe exploitation by mainly free fishing, thus breaching the law. To contrast this unsustainable overexploitation, to which the present decreasing clam harvests are at least partly due, the local fishing authority has recently prepared a Master Fishing Plan for clam production, which is at present under way: the free fishing system must be replaced by a licencing system aimed at regulating market supply and mainly at converting more than 1000 fishermen into clam farmers. Moreover, a number of regulations for both vessels and harvesting techniques and management rules, such as daily clam harvests and fishing times, have been established. Although these newly introduced regulations may be regarded as valuable tools for preserving both the lagoon environment and the resource itself, they do not adequately consider protection for consumers. Although the licensed water areas have been evaluated as safe according to Italian law, at present no guarantees certify the quality of the clams harvested from them, due to the fact that the lagoon of Venice has polluted areas from which clams may be collected illegally and recycled to the legal market simply by putting them into the approved licensed areas before harvesting and marketing them. This paper therefore proposes a number of measures to be undertaken within the framework of good farming practices. The aim is to improve product quality by certification procedures in all production phases, and to guarantee the definite origin of farmed clams.

Prey preference of Carcinus aestuarii: possible implications with the control of an invasive mytilid and Manila clam culture in a northern Adriatic lagoon

The cultivated Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, and the accidentally introduced Asian date mussel, Musculista senhousia, are nowadays the most abundant bivalve species in the Sacca di Goro (northeastern Italy). M. senhousia, with its sub-surficial extended mats, creates quite a heavy economical impact to clam shellfish culture. Individual Mediterranean shore crabs Carcinus aestuarii were allowed to forage on the two bivalve species to examine the crab's preference in light of the optimal foraging theory. Crabs preferred M. senhousia over R. philippinarum: mortality was higher for the former (34.6%) than for the latter bivalve species (9.5%). It is suggested that the marked preference of C. aestuarii for Asian date mussels over Manila clams could be advantageously exploited to control or to reduce the extension of mats, especially where these create management problems to infaunal, burrowing bivalve cultures.

The sessile benthic community patterns on hard bottoms in response to continental vs. marine influence in northern Adriatic lagoons

The sessile hard bottoms zoobenthos community was studied in three northern Adriatic lagoons (Venice, Caorle and Grado-Marano). On the basis of previous researches (1993–1994 in Venice; 1997 in Grado-Marano), these lagoons had been subdivided into ecological sectors. The time consistency of such a subdivision has been assessed. The largest number of species was found in the lagoon of Venice, showing a high heterogeneity of environments and an intense shipping traffic, coupled with aquaculture activities that favoured the arrival of exotic species. A very poor community of obligate oligohaline species was found in Caorle. The natural and stable environment of Grado-Marano lagoon, with its large area of freshwater influence, hosted an intermediate number of species. The multi-dimensional scaling ordination plot of 27 representative stations from the three lagoons (samples of July 2000) clearly distinguished a cluster of “estuarine” sites from the remaining ones, that could be classified as “inner lagoon” sites, “vivified lagoon” sites and “lagoon mouth” sites. When compared with past results by Anosim test and Simper analysis, a lesser degree of discrimination between clusters of sites could be observed. In the following year (samples of July 2001), a larger number of sampling stations was considered in Venice and Grado-Marano. The multi-dimensional scaling plot for the community data of Grado-Marano showed fairly recognisable clusters, that substantially repeated those defined in 1997. As far as Venice is concerned, about 25% of the examined stations had shifted towards a different group, compared with those identified in 1993–1994; in particular, the “urban”, “inner lagoon” and “estuarine” sectors and their peculiar assemblages survived only in small areas with unique features of harsh environmental conditions. The progressively enhanced marine influx in all the lagoon sectors (but the ones directly affected by the outflow of the only river still discharging into the lagoon) has, on the one hand, reduced the most evident effects of eutrophication and urban pollution, and on the other, led to a banalisation of the lagoon communities.

Modelling the growth of Tapes philippinarum in Northern Adriatic lagoons

The paper describes a bioenergetic individual-based model of the growth of Tapes philippinarum, a bivalve mollusc reared in the lagoons of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The model, which simulates the evolution of the size of an average individual, has been calibrated using different sets of experimental data collected in the lagoons of Venice and Goro, and has been validated against a 3 yr long, independent series of field measurements of the average size of a cohort. The formulations here proposed for describing the dependence of the gain and loss terms on water temperature and food ration have not been employed in relation to this species before, and allow one to apply the model also in eutrophic conditions. Possible applications of the model as a tool for site selection and management implementations are illustrated.

Increase of organochlorines and MFO activity in water birds wintering in an Italian lagoon.

The Black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a migratory and dispersive birds species. Its breeding areas are located in central and eastern Europe; its wintering quarters are in western Europe, around the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black and Caspian Seas. Recently Focardi et al. (1984) have reported that specimens of Black-necked grebes accumulate polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury in their tissues during their wintering in the Northern Adriatic lagoon of Marano. Residues of some chlorinated hydrocarbons and the levels of the mixed function oxidases (one of the most efficient hepatic detoxication systems) have been evaluated in specimens of Black-necked grebes collected in the lagoon of Marano during the wintering period (October and December 1984; April 1985) and are the subject of this report.