1. The use of nematodes in assessing ecological conditions in shallow waters surrounding a Mediterranean harbour facility
- Author
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T.J. Ferrero, Alessio Rovere, Valentina Losi, Giancarlo Albertelli, Mariapaola Moreno, Marco Firpo, João Carlos Marques, and Luigi Gaozza
- Subjects
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia ,Mediterranean climate ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,Spatial distribution ,harbours ,Mediterranean sea ,Abundance (ecology) ,Settore GEO/04 - Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia ,Mediterranean Sea ,environmental quality assessment ,Free-living nematodes ,Harbours ,free-living nematodes ,Trophic level ,computer.programming_language ,Environmental quality assessment ,Ecology ,Sediment ,Human impact ,Harbour ,bioindicators ,Bioindicators ,Environmental science ,Bioindicator ,computer - Abstract
The spatial distribution and structure of nematode assemblages in the area surrounding the harbour of Vado Ligure (Savona, NW Mediterranean) were studied in relation to the influence of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors. Stations were selected following an “anthropogenic gradient” from sites located near the city centre and its harbour to more pristine and distant sites. Sediment quality was determined by considering both sediment granulometric and chemical parameters (hydrocarbons, heavy metals, total organic matter, proteins, carbohydrates) as well as nematode abundance, diversity, life strategies, trophic structure and assemblage composition. A high correlation between environmental characteristics and the nematode response was found. On the basis of the comparison of these results, which identified three distinct sub-areas associated with different levels of environmental quality, a set of nematode indicator genera was selected for the future evaluation of quality status.
- Published
- 2013