Northern Adriatic Region Research Articles

Risk-based analysis of recreational ecosystem services supply and demand in beach areas of the Adriatic Sea

Beaches are important suppliers of recreational services to human beings, through bathing water resources, marine biodiversity and scenic values of coastal seascapes. This study presents a conceptual model for risk-based analysis of multiple anthropogenic stressors (e.g. nutrient load, marine litter, pollutants or pathogens) on recreational ecosystem services supply-demand patterns in beaches for seven regions of the Italian Adriatic Sea. Results of the supply-demand analysis show that the beaches in Puglia region have highest recreational supply, while demand for coastal recreation is highest in the beaches of Emilia-Romagna region, which is a region prone to mass recreational activities. Based on the supply-demand analysis we performed a risk assessment on recreational ecosystem services provision by analysing the exposure of beaches ecosystems to multiple stressors generated by different maritime (e.g. shipping, aquaculture) and land-based activities (e.g. agriculture). Beaches of the Northern Adriatic region suffer from high exposure to pollutants due to port activities, aquaculture industry, shipping, and riverine discharge. The presented study advances knowledge on the integration of ecosystem-services-based recreational supply-demand analysis in coastal areas and discusses its application potentials for sustainable management of coastal resources and the investigation of tourism flow to coastal recreational areas for large geospatial settings.

Glacial isostatic adjustment in the northern adriatic region: estimates of the contribution from the Alpine ice sheet

SUMMARY The present-day sea-level variations and vertical movements in the northern Adriatic Sea and in the highly vulnerable Venetian Lagoon result from a number of simultaneously operating contributions. These include Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA), the global, long-term process arising from interactions between the cryosphere, the solid Earth and the oceans in response to the melting of continental ice sheets. Although the GIA contribution in northern Adriatic Sea has been the subject of various investigations so far, significant uncertainties still exist, especially related to the extent and chronology of the Würm Alpine ice sheet and to the rheological profile of the mantle. Here, taking advantage of the recent publication of updated deglaciation chronologies for the far field late-Pleistocene ice sheets and for the near-field alpine ice complex, we produce up-to-date estimates of the present-day rates of GIA-induced relative sea-level variations and vertical displacements in the Venetian Lagoon and in the northern Adriatic Sea, which are compared with GNSS and tide-gauge observations. From high-resolution numerical simulations, we find that GIA is responsible for a complex pattern of geodetic signals across the Po plain and the northern Adriatic Sea. The modeled GIA rates are of the order of fractions of mm yr−1, generally small – but not negligible – compared to the signals observed at local tide gauges and at GNSS sites in the Po plain and facing the Venetian Lagoon. Our results indicate that, while GIA represents a relatively small component among those responsible for present-day land movements and relative sea-level variations in the northern Adriatic Sea, its contribution needs to be taken into account for a correct interpretation of the observed geodetic variations.

Dynamic Changes in Port Logistics Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study addresses the highly topical issue of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on port logistics. The impacts are reflected in all three pillars of sustainable operations and development that port logistics should pursue. The economic impact is strong and is reflected in the extremely high transport prices, the accessibility of transport, the lengthening of the supply chain, and the reduced liquidity of companies. The social aspect is very important regarding working conditions and workers’ roles in ports and logistics service providers (LSPs). The dynamic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also have an impact on the environmental aspect. As supply chains are vulnerable, more attention is paid to the components of time, price, and reliability than greener transportation. This study highlights changes in port logistics due to the COVID-19 pandemic in logistics companies in the northern Adriatic region and covers a specific gap in the understanding of the sustainable adaptations of LSPs in their operations within port logistics. The results enrich the scientific field regarding LSPs to work processes, the digitalization of business processes, and the organization of logistics chains. The results can be used to develop new sustainable business models for port logistics and port governance, as some researchers have already called for because port logistics too often pursue the economic goals of the fastest and cheapest logistics process. At the same time, social and environmental aspects are somewhat neglected. The changes are particularly pronounced in critical situations, such as those typical of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted as part of the project about green port development with external research funding.

Gene flow between wild trees and cultivated varieties shapes the genetic structure of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations

Gene flow between cultivated and wild gene pools is common in the contact zone between agricultural lands and natural habitats and can be used to study the development of adaptations and selection of novel varieties. This is likely the case in the northern Adriatic region, where centuries-old cultivated orchards of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) are planted within the natural distribution area of the species. Thus, we investigated the population structure of several orchards of sweet chestnuts. Furthermore, the genetic background of three toponymous clonal varieties was explored. Six genomic simple sequence repeat (gSSR) and nine EST-derived SSR (EST-SSR) loci were utilized in this research, and both grafted and non-grafted individuals were included in this study. Five closely related clones were identified, which represent a singular, polyclonal marron variety, found in all three cultivation areas. Furthermore, many hybrids, a result of breeding between cultivated and wild chestnuts, have been found. Analyzed semi-wild orchards defined by a diverse genetic structure, represent a hotspot for further selection and could result in creation of locally adapted, high-yielding varieties.

Cast bronze vessels in the northern Adriatic region (c. 600 AD).


 
 
 Although cast bronze vessels of the 6th–8th centuries are not recorded in particularly large numbers, their production and distribution provide a representative sample of the general economic trends and of the evolution of trade networks in the post-Roman Mediterranean.
 The geographical dissemination of these objects shows that at the turn of the 6th century, the northern Adriatic region became the main gateway of ‘eastern-style’ vessels into Central Europe and the Western Mediterranean. The region was thus replacing the Rome area as the main Western hub for redistributing this type of object. From the northern Adriatic area, several types of vessels were distributed both over land along the Po and Rhine valleys and through maritime routes connecting the Adriatic with Carthage and the Spanish Levant.
 The intrinsic features and the depositional contexts of the post-Roman cast bronze vessels suggest that they were manufactured according to different quality standards, which targeted different social milieus. Furthermore, mapping the distribution of the different quality standards reveals that each of them might have been distributed by different networks of merchants and unveils the impact of transportation costs on the final price of these products.
 
 

Palaeopathological Study of the Mompaderno Cranium (Croatian Istria) Reveals Interpersonal Violence during Early Bronze Age

AbstractThe Mompaderno cranium was found in 1883 at Baderna/Mompaderno in Croatian Istria. It was suspected to date from the Mesolithic or Neolithic period, but radiocarbon analyses, performed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on collagen extracted from two teeth, have provided an age range of 2,202–1928 cal. BC, which corresponds to the Early Bronze Age in the investigated region. Macroscopic observations and X‐ray micro‐tomography (micro‐CT) of the cranium have shown antemortem sharp force trauma on the frontal bones, probably caused by a bronze axe, and a related osteomyelitis likely caused by an infection of the wound. The study has also revealed a previous depressed fracture and an osteolytic area interpreted as intradiploic meningioma. Results provide rare and earliest evidence of interpersonal violence in the northern Adriatic region.

A Weather-Type Classification and Its Application to Near-Surface Wind Climate Change Projections over the Adriatic Region

The main goal of this study is to present a recently developed classification method for weather types based on the vorticity and the location of the synoptic centers relative to the Adriatic region. The basis of the present objective classification, applied to the Adriatic region, is the subjective classification developed by Poje. Our algorithm considered daily mean sea-level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height to define one out of 17 possible weather types. We applied the algorithm to identify which weather type was relevant in the generation of the two typical near-surface winds over the Adriatic region, namely Bora and Sirocco. Two high-resolution (0.11°) EURO-CORDEX regional climate models were used, SMHI-RCA4 and DHMZ-RegCM4, forced by several CMIP5 global climate models and analyzed for two 30-year periods: near-present day and mid-21st century climate conditions under the high-end Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5) scenario. Bora and Sirocco days were extracted for each weather type and a distribution over the 30-year period was presented. Our results suggest that in the winter season, climate model projections indicate a reduction in the main cyclonic types relevant in the formation of Bora over the entire Adriatic region and an increase in the number of anticyclonic types relevant in Sirocco events. In contrast, for the summer season, an increase in the main anticyclonic Bora-related weather types is found in the ensemble over the northern Adriatic region.

First set of microsatellite markers for immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don): A step towards the selection of the most promising genotypes for cultivation

Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), also known as curry plant, is a herbaceous perennial plant with documented biological properties that contribute to its attractiveness and use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industry. Availability of DNA markers can significantly improve the knowledge of complex genetics and biochemistry of this aromatic plant. To improve in-depth genetic studies, high-throughput sequencing of a genomic DNA has been performed and a set of 24 SSR markers was developed. In total, 17,025,076 high quality reads were assembled in contigs with the cumulative length of 258.6 Mbp. Genome-wide microsatellite sequences were identified in 8.19% (36,882) contigs, among which dinucleotide (71.2%) and trinucleotide (24.4%) repeats were the most abundant. Twenty-four finally selected microsatellite loci (including di- and tri-nucleotides) which exhibited polymorphism with unambiguous and reproducible amplification products, were used for detailed genetic diversity analysis on a set of 28 H. italicum samples. The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) method based on the Jaccard index differentiated 27 genotypes into two main clusters according to their geographical origin (Northern and Southern Adriatic region), whereas the commercially available plant did not cluster with other H. italicum individuals and morphological evaluation confirmed that it belongs to Helichrysum angustifolium (Lam.) DC. The great diversity of H. italicum samples from the Adriatic observed by new microsatellites will serve for selection of most promising genotypes for propagation and their implementation in agricultural production. The first set of microsatellites developed in the present study provides a valuable resource of DNA markers for further breeding programs, germplasm characterization, and cross-species transferability studies.

On Linear and Circular Approach to GPS Data Processing: Analyses of the Horizontal Positioning Deviations Based on the Adriatic Region IGS Observables

Global and regional positional accuracy assessment is of the highest importance for any satellite navigation system, including the Global Positioning System (GPS). Although positioning error can be expressed as a vector quantity with direction and magnitude, most of the research focuses on error magnitude only. The positional accuracy can be evaluated in terms of navigational quadrants as further refinement of error distribution, as it was shown here. This research was conducted in the wider area of the Northern Adriatic Region, employing the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Service (IGS) data and products. Similarities of positional accuracy and deviations distributions for Single Point Positioning (SPP) were addressed in terms of magnitudes. Data were analyzed during the 11-day period. Linear and circular statistical methods were used to quantify regional positional accuracy and error behavior. This was conducted in terms of both scalar and vector values, with assessment of the underlying probability distributions. Navigational quadrantal positioning error subset analysis was carried out. Similarity in the positional accuracy and positioning deviations behavior, with uneven positional distribution between quadrants, indicated the directionality of the total positioning error. The underlying distributions for latitude and longitude deviations followed approximately normal distributions, while the radius was approximated by the Rayleigh distribution. The Weibull and gamma distributions were considered, as well. Possible causes of the analyzed positioning deviations were not investigated, but the ultimate positioning products were obtained as in standard, single-frequency positioning scenarios.

Simulated regional dust cycle in the Carpathian Basin and the Adriatic Sea region during the Last Glacial Maximum

The climate and environmental conditions in the Carpathian Basin and the adjacent northern Italy/Adriatic region during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) exhibit some major differences, as compared to present-day conditions. For instance, high accumulation rates recorded in loess deposits point to an active dust cycle during the LGM. Here, we investigate the climate conditions and provide new insights into the regional dust cycle based on regional climate simulations for both LGM and present-day boundary conditions. The high-resolution model output (grid spacing of ~8.5 km) is in good agreement with available proxy data, showing much colder (particularly during winter) and drier conditions during the LGM over the model domain. Further, the simulated aeolian dust cycle of small grain size particles (<20 μm) is investigated in more detail for LGM conditions. Highest dust emissions are simulated to the east of the Alpine ice sheet and in the Kvarner Bay region. In the northern Carpathian Basin, dust deposition plumes indicate prevailing northerly (NW, N and NE) winds. Strong Bora winds flowing down the slopes of the Dinaric Alps appear to play a major role in the local to regional dust cycle in the northern Adriatic region. From a seasonal perspective, the dust cycle is most active during winter and spring. A closer look at climate and environmental conditions at key areas reveals that high mean wind speeds and low precipitation rates correlate well with the high dust emissions during winter and spring. In contrast, lower wind speeds, increasing precipitation and the greening of vegetation prevent high dust emissions during summer and autumn. An additional analysis of the occurrence frequency of cyclonic circulation patterns in the Adriatic shelf region reveals that individual passing cyclones played an important role in the transport of dust particles from the alluvial Po plain towards the eastern Adriatic loess stacks.

GNSS measurements for ground deformations detection around offshore natural gas fields in the Northern Adriatic Region

Abstract. The study aims to evaluate ground deformations in a vast area characterized by the coexistence of intense anthropic activities and offshore natural gas production. Onshore subsidence can be studied by GNSS, InSAR, high precision leveling and extensometers that provide broad datasets for a fully integrated description of the phenomenon. At present, seafloor subsidence monitoring cannot be carried out by high precision leveling, and GNSS is the only reliable method, implemented by means of permanent stations installed on offshore hydrocarbon production facilities. In the Northern/Central Adriatic Sea gas production platforms, GNSS data are recorded since more than 15 years, allowing to estimate not only the average subsidence of the platform/seafloor, but also possible velocity variations due to underground fluids withdrawal. This study shows the comparison of 22 offshore GNSS permanent stations located in the study area. Raw data have been processed with two different software packages (GIPSY-OASIS and GAMIT-GLOBK) based on different approaches and considering different boundary conditions of geodetic and/or modeling nature. Main results point out the high accuracy of the GNSS technology considering also the impact of data processing. Finally, at selected permanent stations we also performed a comparison of results obtained by GNSS, InSAR and high precision leveling.

Reconstruction of Geomagnetic Event as Observed in Northern Adriatic Region and Its Correlation with GPS Single-frequency Positioning Deviations

Reconstruction of Geomagnetic Event as Observed in Northern Adriatic Region and Its Correlation with GPS Single-frequency Positioning Deviations

Roman Tripolitanian oil lamps found in Aquileia

The paper discusses lamps of Tripolitanian production found in Aquileia during recent research projects (sewage-system rescue excavation between 1968 and 1972 in the city center and the excavation of the so-called Domus of Titus Macer at the site of the former Cossar property) as well as known otherwise from the northern Adriatic region. The authors present typologies and distribution maps, and consider on these grounds the trade routes traveled by Tripolitanian lamps to Aquileia. This leads them in turn to a look at commercial patterns reflected in this, including Aquileia’s role as a rich harbor city rooted in the Adriatic distribution system and a hub for the distribution of goods to the hinterland settlements.

Caprine mortality profiles from prehistoric cave‐sites of the northern Adriatic: Livestock strategies or natural death?

AbstractThis paper poses a question on the interpretation of caprine “kill‐off patterns” in some prehistoric sites of the Caput Adriae (northern Adriatic region, Mediterranean area). In particular, caprine kill‐off data from layers 2 (Late Neolithic‐Copper Age) and 2a (Middle Neolithic) of Grotta dell'Edera (Trieste Karst, north‐eastern Italy) are presented here and compared with those from two neighbouring sites. Distribution of age classes of domestic animals (in particular Caprinae) is generally discussed in terms of exploitation strategies adopted by past communities to obtain different products (e.g., milk, meat, and wool). Nevertheless, emphasis is rarely given to the possible meaning of the presence of foetal individuals and to their relation with neonatal ones. In this sense, it needs to be considered that causes of abortion (e.g., infections or ewe malnutrition) often can also lead to lamb mortality. The presence of a high proportion of neonatal (0–2 months old) and foetal sheep/goat individuals in the sites analysed raises an issue about the possible meaning of the mortality profiles: exploitation of dairy products or just premature death of ill individuals? This issue is important not only to better interpret subsistence strategies of past human communities but also to explore animal disease through time.

New insights on the Adria plate geodynamics from the northern Adriatic perspective

Abstract The interpretation of approximately 1300 km of multichannel seismic data, acquired in the northern Adriatic Sea, revealed that the Apennine foredeep in the northern Adriatic does not show any evidence of tilting since Early Pliocene, suggesting that slab retreat cannot be the geodynamic driving force for the northern Adriatic subsidence and for the northern Apennine kinematic since that time. Moreover, the presence of two fault systems that developed since the Pliocene indicates that the northern Adriatic underwent intraplate deformation during the Plio-Pleistocene. These considerations suggest that, since Early Pliocene, subduction below the northern Apennine ceased, and that the Adria Plate movements were mainly driven by the kinematics of the adjacent plates, particularly by the Nubia-Europe convergence. At present, on the basis of the foredeep setting, four distinct sectors can be recognized in the Adriatic foreland: Po Plain, northern, central and southern Adriatic, separated by major tectonic lineaments. The northern Adriatic differs from the two adjoining sectors because its foredeep deposits are still well preserved. In the Po Plain in fact, the Adriatic foredeep is almost totally incorporated into the Alpine and Apennine chains while in the central Adriatic, it is affected by a considerable intraplate deformation (e.g. the Mid Adriatic Ridge). In this framework, the northern Adriatic region may be regarded as a triangular shaped sector indented below the Southern Alps to the north and the northern Dinarides to the north-east and bounded to the west by the Schio-Vicenza fault system and to the south-east by the Kvarner fault.

Characterisation of Monovarietal Olive Oils Obtained from Croatian cvs. Drobnica and Buza during the Ripening Period.

The aim of this study was the monitoring of the chemical composition of olive oil at different ripening stages to determine the appropriate harvesting time during any given crop season in the northern Adriatic region. For this purpose, from September to November, two Croatian olive cultivars (Drobnica and Buza) were taken from two different olive orchards and for the respective olive oils, prepared on a laboratory scale, the major saponifiable, unsaponifiable and phenolic compounds were determined. Based on the chemical analyses performed, the optimal harvesting time has been set in October for both cultivars. Buza had a higher oleic acid, but lower total sterols, squalene and total alkanols. Compared to the local cultivars, the studied cultivars had a high total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity and concentrations of total phenols correlated with α-tocopherol in oil samples taken during the ripening progress. Finally, trace minerals detected in Buza and Drobnica oil differed, which can be an indicator of oxidative stability and authenticity of oils.

Sea Surface Temperature Trends in Venice Lagoon and the Adjacent Waters

ABSTRACT Amos, C.L.; Umgiesser, G.; Ghezzo, M.; Kassem, H., and Ferrarin, C., 2017. Sea surface temperature trends in Venice lagoon and the adjacent waters. Two coastal lagoons and coastal waters in the northern Adriatic region, Italy, were examined to assess the anthropogenic impact on coastal sea surface temperature (SST). The first lagoon was the highly altered Venice lagoon, and the second was the largely natural Marano-Grado lagoon. There are converging lines of evidence for air warming in the Venice region since 1910 at a long-term rate of 0.095°C/decade. Since 1980, the warming has accelerated to 0.65°C/decade in the centre of Venice. The acceleration in air warming is also evident in the MOHAT4 data set from the northern Adriatic Sea, although the rate of warming is less (0.36°C/decade). This warming trend is mimicked in the HadISST1.1 data set of SST for the northern Adriatic Sea (0.33°C/decade), whereas no trend was detected before 1980. SST and air temperature in both Venice and Marano-Grado la...

Investigating the hydrological significance of stalagmite geochemistry (Mg, Sr) using Sr isotope and particulate element records across the Late Glacial-to-Holocene transition

The trace element and Sr isotope records in two coeval stalagmites characterized by different growth rates and flow regimes at Savi cave (Grotta Savi, NE Italy) reveal different sources and incorporation mechanisms for Mg and Sr. Mg is sourced primarily from dissolved cave host rock while particulate Mg derived from soil plays a subordinate role. The presence of particulate-borne Mg is inferred from the co-variation of Mg and particle-associated elements (Th, Al and Mn) which are preferentially concentrated in open columnar calcite layers. Variation in Mg concentrations corrected for particle-influenced components, the Mgc parameter, is controlled by water–rock interaction, with higher and lower Mgc during dry and wet phases, respectively. This is thought to reflect incongruent dissolution of Mg-rich phases. Correction of Sr concentrations for contributions from airborne exogenic Sr, based on 87Sr/86Sr ratios, yields the bedrock-only contribution (Src). Src variation in stalagmite calcite is influenced by speleothem growth rate and by variation of the calcite-water Sr partitioning in wet and dry phases, and only to a minor extent by incongruent dissolution of Mg-rich phases. Concentration profiles for Mgc and Srcg (corrected for growth rate effects) show inverse correlations and are inferred to show hydrological significance which is captured in a hydrological index, HI. We suggest HI provides robust information on water–rock interaction related to hydrological changes and can be utilized in both wet and semi-arid environments, provided the corrections for soil Mg and exogenic Sr can be applied with confidence. Application of the HI index allows correction of Grotta Savi oxygen isotope data, to yield a δ18Oc time series that shows when changes in moisture sources and atmospheric reorganization, or changes in moisture amount, were significant. This is especially evident during the Younger Dryas (YD). The Savi record supports the concept of a two-phase YD, marked by an increase of moisture and stronger impact of Adriatic and Mediterranean Sea influences over the northern Adriatic region from 12.3ka onwards. Then, a large-scale atmospheric reorganization and gradual northward shift of the Polar Front caused a progressive reduction of sea influence over the region from 12.1ka, supporting the concept of a hemispheric change.

Detecting human presence at the border of the Northeastern Italian Pre-Alps. 14C dating at Rio Secco cave as expression of the first Gravettian and the late mousterian in the Northern Adriatic Region.

In the northern Adriatic regions, which include the Venetian region and the Dalmatian coast, late Neanderthal settlements are recorded in few sites and even more ephemeral are remains of the Mid-Upper Palaeolithic occupations. A contribution to reconstruct the human presence during this time range has been produced from a recently investigated cave, Rio Secco, located in the northern Adriatic region at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps. Chronometric data make Rio Secco a key site in the context of recording occupation by late Neanderthals and regarding the diffusion of the Mid-Upper Palaeolithic culture in a particular district at the border of the alpine region. As for the Gravettian, its diffusion in Italy is a subject of on-going research and the aim of this paper is to provide new information on the timing of this process in Italy. In the southern end of the Peninsula the first occupation dates to around 28,000 14C BP, whereas our results on Gravettian layer range from 29,390 to 28,995 14C years BP. At the present state of knowledge, the emergence of the Gravettian in eastern Italy is contemporaneous with several sites in Central Europe and the chronological dates support the hypothesis that the Swabian Gravettian probably dispersed from eastern Austria.

New evidence for the Mousterian and Gravettian at Rio Secco Cave, Italy

The dearth of evidence for late Neanderthals in Europe reduces our ability to understand the demise of their species and the impact of the biological and cultural changes that resulted from the spread of anatomically modern humans. In this light, a recently investigated cave in the northern Adriatic region at the border between the Italian Alps and the Great Adriatic Plain provides useful data about the last Neanderthals between 46·0 and 42·1 ky cal b.p. Their subsistence is inferred from zooarchaeological remains and patterns in Middle Palaeolithic lithic technology. Unexpected evidence of the ephemeral use of the cave during the early Upper Palaeolithic Gravettian period shows a change in lithic technology.