Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Chemically Characterized Microplastics within the Protected Area of Pelagos Sanctuary (NW Mediterranean Sea): Focus on Natural and Urban Beaches

Data on the abundance and distribution of Anthropogenic Marine Debris (AMD) on the coastal areas of the northern Tyrrhenian coast are still scarce. The objective of this study is to characterize, in terms of size, color, morphology and polymeric nature, the Large Microplastics (LMPs), i.e., plastic objects within 1 and 5 mm, sampled on three beaches located within the coastal macro-area of the Pelagos Sanctuary, an international protected zone in the north-western Mediterranean. The beaches have similar morphological characteristics but different degrees of urbanization. LMPs were sampled seasonally for one year. The polymeric nature of a representative subsample of the collected LMPs was investigated using a portable Raman instrument, to assess the feasibility of in situ characterization. In this study, 26,486 items were sorted by typology (Expanded Polystyrene-EPS, fragments, and resin pellets), size, and for fragments and resin pellets, also by color and chemical nature. Statistical data on the quantity, density, type, spatial distribution, and seasonality of the sampled LMPs are presented. Differences in LMP abundance and composition were detected among sites. A seasonality trend emerges from our statistical analysis, depending on both LMP typology and urbanization degrees of the beaches. Our data do not show the existence of a relationship between the size of the investigated MPs and their color, while they suggest that the type of polymer influences the degree of fragmentation. This underlines the need to further investigate the mechanisms leading to the production and dispersion of MPs in coastal areas, taking into account both the urbanization of the beach, and therefore the possible sources of input, and the different types of MPs. Finally, a Raman portable instrument proved to be a valuable aid in performing in situ polymeric characterization of LMPs.

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Quantifying the Variability of Phytoplankton Blooms in the NW Mediterranean Sea with the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST)

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13245151 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 5151

Author(s):

Emanuele Ciancia ◽

Teodosio Lacava ◽

Nicola Pergola ◽

Vincenzo Vellucci ◽

David Antoine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Phytoplankton Blooms ◽

Chl A ◽

In Situ Data ◽

The North ◽

Western Mediterranean Sea ◽

Nw Mediterranean

Investigating the variability of phytoplankton phenology plays a key role in regions characterized by cyclonic circulation regimes or convective events, like the north-western Mediterranean Sea (NWM). The main goal of this study is to assess the potential of the robust satellite techniques (RST) in identifying anomalous phytoplankton blooms in the NWM by using 9 years (2008–2017) of multi-sensor chlorophyll-a (chl-a) products from the CMEMS and OC-CCI datasets. Further application of the RST approach on a corresponding time-series of in situ chl-a measurements acquired at the BOUSSOLE site allows evaluation ofthe accuracy of the satellite-based change detection indices and selecting the best indicator. The OC-CCI derived chl-a anomaly index shows the best performances when compared to in situ data (R2 and RMSE of 0.75 and 0.48, respectively). Thus, it has been used to characterize an anomalous chl-a bloom that occurred in March 2012 at regional scale. Results show positive chl-a anomalies between the BOUSSOLE site and the Center of Convection Zone (CCZ) as a possible consequence of an intense convection episode that occurred in February 2012.

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Biogeography of acoustic biodiversity of NW Mediterranean coralligenous reefs

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96378-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lucia Di Iorio ◽

Manon Audax ◽

Julie Deter ◽

Florian Holon ◽

Julie Lossent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Predator Species ◽

The North ◽

Mediterranean Habitats ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Nw Mediterranean

AbstractMonitoring the biodiversity of key habitats and understanding the drivers across spatial scales is essential for preserving ecosystem functions and associated services. Coralligenous reefs are threatened marine biodiversity hotspots that are challenging to monitor. As fish sounds reflect biodiversity in other habitats, we unveiled the biogeography of coralligenous reef sounds across the north-western Mediterranean using data from 27 sites covering 2000 km and 3 regions over a 3-year period. We assessed how acoustic biodiversity is related to habitat parameters and environmental status. We identified 28 putative fish sound types, which is up to four times as many as recorded in other Mediterranean habitats. 40% of these sounds are not found in other coastal habitats, thus strongly related to coralligenous reefs. Acoustic diversity differed between geographical regions. Ubiquitous sound types were identified, including sounds from top-predator species and others that were more specifically related to the presence of ecosystem engineers (red coral, gorgonians), which are key players in maintaining habitat function. The main determinants of acoustic community composition were depth and percentage coverage of coralligenous outcrops, suggesting that fish-related acoustic communities exhibit bathymetric stratification and are related to benthic reef assemblages. Multivariate analysis also revealed that acoustic communities can reflect different environmental states. This study presents the first large-scale map of acoustic fish biodiversity providing insights into the ichthyofauna that is otherwise difficult to assess because of reduced diving times. It also highlights the potential of passive acoustics in providing new aspects of the correlates of biogeographical patterns of this emblematic habitat relevant for monitoring and conservation.

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Subsidence discrepancy in the Valencia Trough revealed from reflection seismic observations and backstripping results

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-12566 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Penggao Fang ◽

Geoffroy Mohn ◽

Julie Tugend ◽

Nick Kusznir

Keyword(s):

Tectonic Setting ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Drill Hole ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Normal Faults ◽

Seismic Profiles ◽

Gulf Of Lions ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Valencia Trough

<p>&#160; &#160; The Valencia Trough is commonly included as part of the set of western Mediterranean Cenozoic extensional basins that formed in relation with the Tethyan oceanic slab rollback during the latest Oligocene to early Miocene. It lies in a complex tectonic setting between the Gulf of Lions to the North-West, the Catalan Coastal Range and the Iberian chain to the West, the Balearic promontory to the East and the Betic orogenic system to the South. This rifting period is coeval with or directly followed by the development of the external Betics fold and thrust belts at the southern tip of the Valencia Trough. Recent investigations suggest that the Valencia Trough is segmented into two main domains exhibiting different geological and geophysical characteristics between its northeastern and southwestern parts. The presence of numerous Cenozoic normal faults and the well-studied subsidence pattern evolution of the NE part of the Valencia Trough suggest that it mainly formed coevally with the rifting of Gulf of Lion. However, if a significant post-Oligocene subsidence is also evidenced in its SW part; fewer Cenozoic rift structures are observed suggesting that the subsidence pattern likely results from the interference of different processes.</p><p>&#160; &#160; In this presentation, we quantify the post-Oligocene subsidence history of the SW part of the Valencia Trough with the aim of evaluating the potential mechanisms explaining this apparent subsidence discrepancy. We analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of the post-Oligocene subsidence using the interpretation of a dense grid of high-quality multi-channel seismic profiles, also integrating drill-hole results and velocity information from expanding spread profiles (ESP). We used the mapping of the main unconformities, especially the so-called Oligocene unconformity, to perform a 3D flexural backstripping, which permits the prediction of the post-Oligocene water-loaded subsidence. Our results confirm that the post-Oligocene subsidence of the SW part of the Valencia Trough cannot be explained by the rifting of the Gulf of Lions. Previous works already showed that the extreme crustal thinning observed to the SW is related to a previous Mesozoic rift event. Here, we further highlight that if few Cenozoic extensional structures are observed, they can be interpreted as gravitational features rooting at the regionally identified Upper Triassic evaporite level. Backstripping results combined with the mapping of the first sediments deposited on top of the Oligocene unconformity show that they are largely controlled by the shape of Betic front with a possible additional effect of preserved Mesozoic structures. At larger scale, we compare the mechanisms accounting for the origin and subsidence at the SW part of the Valencia Trough with those responsible for the subsidence of its NE part and the Gulf of Lions.</p>

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The preliminary assessment of abundance and composition of marine beach debris in the northern Persian Gulf, Bandar Abbas City, Iran

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315415002076 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 131-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Jaleh Sarafraz ◽

Mahdi Rajabizadeh ◽

Ehsan Kamrani

Keyword(s):

Marine Biology ◽

Coastal Areas ◽

Marine Debris ◽

Litter Production ◽

Marine Litter ◽

The North ◽

Coastal Cities ◽

Student Volunteers ◽

Common Items ◽

Bandar Abbas

Marine debris is a major challenge threatening ocean and coastal environment with no easy solution in coming years. The problem is totally manmade and extendeds to coastal areas around the world. The accumulation of marine debris is largely due to lack of awareness and environmental education among the public reinforced with mismanagement of municipal litter in coastal cities. Iran has about 2415 km of coastlines in the north and south of the country that suffer severely from a marine debris problem. Despite the great scale of the problem that leads to the shutdown of some beaches to beachgoers, there are no documented data on the abundance, composition and sources of marine debris dispersed on beaches. With the cooperation of marine biology student volunteers, we surveyed beaches at two scales, 100 m and 1 km searching for litter in varying ranges. The results revealed that the most common items are made of plastic/polystyrene. Tourism and recreational activities are responsible for more than 90% of litter production on the study beach. Fisheries and aquaculture are the second source of most abundant marine litter found on the beach with considerable distance from tourism activities. We conclude that lack of education about the consequences of marine litter is the main reason for marine debris at the study beach. Another reason is related to rapid construction of coastal areas and development of coastal cities with no proper infrastructure to manage municipal littering.

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Coupling physics and biogeochemistry thanks to high resolution observations of the phytoplankton community structure in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea

10.5194/bg-2017-343 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pierre Marrec ◽

Andrea M. Doglioli ◽

Gérald Grégori ◽

Mathilde Dugenne ◽

Alice Della Penna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Phytoplankton Community ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Phytoplankton Community Structure ◽

The North ◽

Cold Core ◽

North Western

Abstract. Fine-scale physical structures and ocean dynamics strongly influence and regulate biogeochemical and ecological processes. These processes are particularly challenging to describe and understand because of their ephemeral nature. The OSCAHR (Observing Submesoscale Coupling At High Resolution) campaign has been conducted in fall 2015 in which, a fine-scale structure in the North Western Mediterranean Ligurian subbasin was pre-identified using both satellite and numerical modeling data. Along the ship track, various variables were measured at the surface (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and nutrients concentrations) with ADCP current velocity. We also deployed a new model of CytoSense automated flow cytometer (AFCM) optimized for small and dim cells, for near real-time characterization of surface phytoplankton community structure of surface waters with a spatial resolution of few km and a hourly temporal resolution. For the first time with this type of AFCM we were able to resolve Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus picocyanobacteria. The vertical physical dynamics and biogeochemical properties of the studied area were investigated by continuous high resolution CTD profiles thanks to a moving vessel profiler (MVP) during the vessel underway associated to a 1-m vertical resolution pumping system deployed during fixed stations. The observed fine-scale feature presented a cyclonic structure with a relatively cold core surrounded by warmer waters. Surface waters were totally depleted in nitrate and phosphate. In addition to the doming of the isopycnals by the cyclonic circulation, an intense wind event induced Ekman pumping. The upwelled subsurface cold nutrient-rich water fertilized surface waters, characterized by an increase in Chl-a concentration. Prochlorococcus, pico- and nano-eukaryotes were more abundant in cold core waters while Synechococcus dominated in warm boundary waters. Nanoeukaryote were the main contributors (> 50 %) in terms of pigment content (FLR) and biomass. Biological observations based on the mean cell's red fluorescence recorded by AFCM combined with physical properties of surface waters suggest a distinct origin for two warm boundary waters. Finally, the application of a matrix growth population model based on high-frequency AFCM measurements in warm boundary surface waters provides estimates of in-situ growth rate and apparent net primary production for Prochlorococcus (μ = 0.21 d−1, NPP = 0.11 mgC m−3 d−1) and Synechococcus (μ = 0.72 d−1, NPP = 2.68 mgC m−3 d−1), which corroborate their opposite surface distribution pattern. The innovative adaptive strategy applied during OSCAHR with a combination of several multidisciplinary and complementary approaches involving high-resolution in-situ observations and sampling, remote-sensing and model simulations provided a deeper understanding of the marine biogeochemical dynamics through the first trophic levels.

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Opportunistically collected data from aerial surveys reveal spatio-temporal distribution patterns of marine debris in German waters

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-020-10610-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 2893-2903

Author(s):

Bianca Unger ◽

Helena Herr ◽

Sacha Viquerat ◽

Anita Gilles ◽

Patricia Burkhardt-Holm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Distribution ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Aerial Survey ◽

Marine Debris ◽

Encounter Rate ◽

The North ◽

Aerial Surveys ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

German Waters ◽

The Baltic

AbstractMarine debris is known for its ubiquitousness and harmful effects on marine life. This study is the first analysis to provide information on the distribution of floating marine debris in German waters using aerial survey data collected between 2002 and 2016. During regular harbour porpoise monitoring flights, 191,167 km were covered and 26,512 floating debris items recorded (average encounter rate 0.1387 items/km). Debris was encountered more often in the North Sea than in the Baltic Sea (0.16 items/km; 0.08 items/km). The average encounter rate was higher in offshore waters than in coastal areas. Overlaps of marine debris distribution with ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ are a particular reason for concern. Moreover, the spring months (March–May) were identified to be the time of the year with the highest average encounter rates for marine debris. Fishing-related debris was shown to contribute up to 25% of the total number of all observed items. This study shows that opportunistically collected data on marine debris from aerial surveys are valuable for identifying distribution patterns of floating debris without additional survey effort and costs. These data can be used as baseline information to inform management schemes such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

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Seamount physiography and biology in the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-10-3039-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 3039-3054 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

T. Morato ◽

K. Ø. Kvile ◽

G. H. Taranto ◽

F. Tempera ◽

B. E. Narayanaswamy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

East Atlantic ◽

Late 19Th Century ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Area North

Abstract. This work aims at characterising the seamount physiography and biology in the OSPAR Convention limits (north-east Atlantic Ocean) and Mediterranean Sea. We first inferred potential abundance, location and morphological characteristics of seamounts, and secondly, summarized the existing biological, geological and oceanographic in situ research, identifying examples of well-studied seamounts. Our study showed that the seamount population in the OSPAR area (north-east Atlantic) and in the Mediterranean Sea is large with around 557 and 101 seamount-like features, respectively. Similarly, seamounts occupy large areas of about 616 000 km2 in the OSPAR region and of about 89 500 km2 in the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of seamounts in the north-east Atlantic has been known since the late 19th century, but overall knowledge regarding seamount ecology and geology is still relatively poor. Only 37 seamounts in the OSPAR area (3.5% of all seamounts in the region), 22 in the Mediterranean Sea (9.2% of all seamounts in the region) and 25 in the north-east Atlantic south of the OSPAR area have in situ information. Seamounts mapped in both areas are in general very heterogeneous, showing diverse geophysical characteristics. These differences will likely affect the biological diversity and production of resident and associated organisms.

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The distribution and direct impacts of marine debris on the commercial shrimping industry

10.21203/rs.3.rs-737430/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alyssa Rodolfich ◽

Eric Sparks ◽

Benedict Posadas ◽

John Rodgers ◽

Adam Skarke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Distribution ◽

Marine Debris ◽

Fishing Gear ◽

Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽

North Central ◽

The North ◽

Repair Costs ◽

Data Collection Program ◽

Shrimping Industry ◽

Collection Program

Abstract Commercial shrimpers frequently encounter marine debris in their nets, resulting in the loss of time and catch, and added repair costs. Prior to this study, no information existed on the spatial and temporal distribution of marine debris that shrimpers encounter and the subsequent economic impact on commercial shrimping. To characterize the quantity and impacts of marine debris, twenty commercial shrimpers participated in a comprehensive data collection program within the north central Gulf of Mexico, USA. Results showed that derelict crab traps were an overwhelming issue for shrimpers, and the type of fishing gear used (skimmer vs. otter trawls) influenced both the type of marine debris encountered and the subsequent economic impacts. Surveyed shrimpers encountered marine debris on 19% of tows and lost an average of 18.21 minutes, 7.88 kg of catch, and $6.37 (USD) in gear damage per tow with encounters, resulting in losses of $7,683 (USD) per year, per shrimper.

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Thalassobaculum salexigens sp. nov., a new member of the family Rhodospirillaceae from the NW Mediterranean Sea, and emended description of the genus Thalassobaculum

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY ◽

10.1099/ijs.0.011460-0 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 209-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Laurent Urios ◽

Valérie Michotey ◽

Laurent Intertaglia ◽

Françoise Lesongeur ◽

Philippe Lebaron

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Reductase Activity ◽

Fatty Acid Content ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

The North ◽

Western Mediterranean Sea ◽

The Family ◽

Emended Description ◽

Nw Mediterranean

A novel Gram-negative bacteria, named CZ41_10aT, was isolated from coastal surface waters of the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Cells were motile, pleomorphic rods, 1.6 μm long and 0.7 μm wide and formed cream colonies on marine agar medium. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the new isolate in the genus Thalassobaculum, a member of the family Rhodospirillaceae, class Alphaproteobacteria. Unlike Thalassobaculum litoreum CL-GR58T, its closest relative, strain CZ41_10aT was unable to grow anaerobically and did not exhibit nitrate reductase activity. On the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization, fatty acid content and physiological and biochemical characteristics, this isolate represents a novel species for which the name Thalassobaculum salexigens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CZ41_10aT (=DSM 19539T=CIP 109064T=MOLA 84T). An emended description of the genus Thalassobaculum is also given.

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Mesoscale Eddies in the Algerian Basin: do they differ as a function of their formation site?

10.5194/os-2017-93 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Federica Pessini ◽

Antonio Olita ◽

Yuri Cotroneo ◽

Angelo Perilli

Keyword(s):

Temporal Distribution ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Short Life ◽

Closed Loops ◽

The North ◽

Western Mediterranean Sea ◽

Detection And Tracking ◽

Northern Portion ◽

Variable Direction ◽

Anticyclonic Eddies

Abstract. The circulation of the Western Mediterranean Sea (WMED) is dominated by highly variable and heterogeneous mesoscale circulation, strongly driven by the formation and propagation of eddies (cyclonic and anticyclonic) mainly acting in the Algerian Basin. Anticyclones are characterized by longer life, so potentially contributing to a large extent to the mesoscale characterization of the basin. Hereafter we will take into account only anticyclonic structures. In order to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of eddy generation and their respective paths in the Algerian Basin, the most energetic WMED portion, we use an automated detection and tracking hybrid method (modified to fill the gaps in single eddy tracks) applied to 22 years of Sea Level Anomaly (SLA) data. The method is based on the computation of the Okubo–Weiss parameter in SLA closed loops. We find that anticyclonic short-life eddies mostly occur in the northern portion of the domain, north of 39° N, along the North Balearic Front (NBF). We refer to all the structures formed in that area as Frontal Anticyclonic Eddies (FAEs). Such short-life eddies are characterized by low translational velocity and a highly variable direction of propagation. We found a weak seasonality in their formation, with maxima in fall and winter. By contrast, anticyclonic longer-life eddies tend to arise in the southern part of the basin, along the Algerian Current, with a clear maximum in spring. All the structures originating along the Algerian Current are known as Algerian Eddies (AEs). According to previous studies, we observe that AEs mainly form east of 6.5° E and move eastward along the African coast to the Sardinia Channel, where they detach from the coast, continuing offshore and following the cyclonic intermediate circulation. We detect a region where such eddies tend to converge and terminate their life. Finally, the analysis suggests that the Algerian Basin can be separated in two parts, southern and northern one as function of the eddy properties like formation site, path, number, energy and lifetime. The only connection in terms of eddy tracks between the two areas is represented by a few FAEs moving southward and being entrapped in the southern cyclonic circulation.

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