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In this study we propose a conceptual framework, i.e. the Monitoring Breakdown Structure (MBS) as a tool forthe management of marine ecosystems. The conceptual framework thinks through the complexity of marineecosystems keeping into account the variety (space) and variability (time) dimensions. Consistently with theMBS we have built the control charts of trace metal concentrations of two selected biomonitors in the BeagleChannel (south Patagonia) (case study).Thus, we have tested the aptitude of two species of mollusks as biomonitors of heavy metal (HMs) pollution.The selected species were the limpet Nacella (P) magellanica and the bivalve Mytilus chilensis. Seven hundredeighty-five samples were collected along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (BC), (Tierra delFuego, Argentina) in seven selected georeferenced locations and four sampling campaigns (2005, 2007, 2011,2012). Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn determinations in seawater and mollusks by atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS) were carried out. The calculation of the respective concentration factors (CFs), i.e. their capacity as strongbioaccumulators, was also conducted. This is of relevance because it aims to use these data as a baseline referencefor other geographical areas. Second, we have compared metal bioaccumulation differences among sitesand the contamination trend by building, for the first time, the control charts of the baseline metal concentrationsin the biomonitors. For these purposes, we applied probabilistic Johnson's method.Furthermore, the control charts (based on four years baseline data) allowed us to test the contamination trendby plotting data from 2012 vs 2011. Our results confirm N. magellanica as an extremely strong accumulator ofCd, and M chilensis strong bioaccumulator of Cd and Zn. Zn was the most abundant metal followed by Cu.Overall, regarding the contamination trend, based on thousands of determinations we observed that the six meanmetal levels were quite constant over time. Moreover, metal distribution among sites turned out to be notunivocal (no one site is more contaminated than the other sites). Thus, the expected hypothesis of UshuaiaHarbour as being the most contaminated site should be reconsidered. This reinforces the hypothesis of our dataas baseline data (except for cadmium), that should be considered in management decisions about future environmentalmonitoring programs, i.e. preventing/managing marine accidents. Fil: Conti, Marcelo Enrique. Università di Roma; Italia Fil: Tudino, Mabel Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina Fil: Grazia Finoia, María. Università di Roma; Italia Fil: Simone, Cristina. Università di Roma; Italia Fil: Stripeikis, Jorge. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina

The levels of 30 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn) and some typical quality parameters were measured in 40 honey samples from the Lazio region (Italy). The main purpose of this study was to enhance the information variety. The mean values for the quality parameters were: pH, 4.0; sugar, 80.9 °brix; moisture, 17.4%; electrical conductivity 0.63 mS cm-1. Mineral elements were quantified by ICP-OES and ICP-MS and compared with literature data. The most abundant minerals decreased in the following order (mean - μg g-1): K: 1450 > S: 107 > Ca: 86 > P: 75 > Na: 45 > Mg: 34. Chemometrics was applied in order to detect significant differences among the five provinces of honeys production. Overall, several elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, Zn), sugar and moisture did not discriminate the Lazio provinces. This strongly agrees with our previous findings that honey is not a reliable biomonitor of environmental contamination. There are no evident signs of pollution for the Lazio honeys confirming their good quality and safety.

The present study analyses the artisanal fishery of Sciacca (Mediterranean Sea) through the investigation of fishing activities, resources and yields, in order to characterize for the first time one of the most important traditional coastal activities of the area. Further, the study evaluates the incidence of illegal artisanal fishing, this being one of the major threats to the good management of fishery. Landing surveys and interviews with professional fishermen (i.e. those operating on vessels provided with a fishing licence) were carried out from May 2006 to April 2007 in order to record catches, type of fishing gear used and fishing areas. At the same time, illegal artisanal fishing vessels – i.e. vessels without a licence whose catch is illegally sold in local markets – were also monitored. The artisanal fishery of Sciacca is multi-specific, exploring various resources with different techniques. The most used gear by both professional and illegal fishing vessels throughout the study period was the trammel net. Other less frequently used gear has seasonal use related to source availability, and some is mainly or exclusively used by one or the other category of fishing vessels. Overlapping between professional and illegal fishing vessels emerged in the exploitation of some fishing areas, mainly coastal (within 3 nautical miles). A strong competition between the two categories for commercial resources was highlighted. The present study reports for the first time data on professional and illegal artisanal fishing in one of the most important Sicilian fisheries.

This paper illustrates the results of a questionnaire designed to explore the full range of topics and concerns related to the potential impacts of CO 2 geological storage. The questionnaire was compiled online by 45 European and international stakeholders from 16 different countries, including researchers, operators and regulators. The results provide a comprehensive picture of the variety of aspects that the respondents consider important from the point of view of impacts and long term safety of storage sites. The themes span from impacts on the environment to socio-economic and operational such as for instance building and management of storage sites.

Among the behavioural factors affecting survival of hatchery-reared fish when released into the wild, inefficient foraging is considered to be a major behavioural deficit. The present study investigates the ability of hatchery-produced, pellet-reared dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus juveniles to recognize and catch live prey (sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings 30–80 mm TL) and analyses the effects of a training period on their foraging performance. Juvenile E. marginatus (3+ years, 270–330 mm TL) showed an innate ability to recognize and capture live D. labrax fingerlings as latency time to first attack was very short (

Continuous monitoring has been carried out at a fluvial flood-plain site near Rome for over a year. There is a mix of biogenic CO 2 and deep geogenic CO 2 at the site at relatively low concentrations and fluxes compared with other natural CO 2 seepage sites studied previously. Factors such as temperature and soil moisture clearly affect the CO 2 concentration and flux and seasonal and diurnal influences are apparent. Statistical approaches are being used to try to define these relationships and separate out the two gas components, which would be necessary in any quantification of leakage from CO 2 storage.

Paganelli D., Nonnis O., Finoia M.G. and Gabellini M., 2013. The role of sediment characterization in environmental studies to assess the effect of relict sand dredging for beach nourishment: the example of offshore sand deposits in Lazio (Tyrrhenian Sea) In: Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. and O’Hare, T.J. (eds.), Proceedings 12 th International Coastal Symposium (Plymouth, England), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 65, pp. 10151020, ISSN 0749-0208. Beach nourishment with relict sands has been carried out for several years as a way to counter coastal erosion problems, and it has proven to be a successful beach protection method and one of the most important coastal management tools available. It is however known that relict sand dredging may have significant physical and biological effects on the marine environment, especially in highly biodiverse environments and sensitive habitats such as the Mediterranean marine and coastal system. Within this framework, the Regione Lazio (Italy) local Authority has financed and implemented some research projects aimed at identifying marine sand deposits along the Latium continental shelf. The research brought to the identification of five areas suitable for the exploitation of relict sands along the Tyrrhenian continental shelf. ISPRA was commissioned to carry out environmental characterization studies to evaluate the effects of dredging nourishment-aimed relict sand on the marine environment. This paper presents the results of the grain-size characterization study carried out in the areas identified as suitable for dredging of relict sands; the study allows the identification of the main sedimentological features of the investigated areas, providing some of the necessary information to assess the potential environmental effects of relict sand dredging.

With regard to the impact of dredging activities in harbour environments on aquatic ecosystems, the aim of this study was to integrate results obtained from a research project carried out in Palermo Harbour in 1999. In particular, an ecotoxicological approach, together with physical–chemical analysis, was introduced to assess the quality of the dredging sediment. This study provides important data and information for the realisation of a handbook on handling of marine sediments in Italy.

a b s t r a c t In this study we assess the existence of gradients of abundance (density and biomass) of the sea breams Diplodus puntazzo, Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris across the boundaries of the Portofino MPA (NW Mediterranean) in order to evaluate reserve effect and to provide evidence of spillover. Fish were visually censused in shallow rocky habitat (4-7 m depth) at replicate sites within the different MPA zones and in adjacent unprotected areas. Higher values of sea breams size, density and biomass were usually observed inside MPA compared to unprotected areas, likely due to the enforcement of protection. We found evidence of negative gradients of sea bream density and biomass across the MPA boundaries, although shape and steepness of gradients changed depending on species, sampling time and boundary orientation. Fish density and biomass decreased abruptly just 100 m outside the MPA and remained close to zero off the western boundary. A partial recovery in fish density was recorded eastward, about 1 km apart from the MPA boundary. Overall, our results were consistent with the presence of a moderate fish spillover, considering that a high fishing effort close to the MPA boundaries could have prevented any potential increase in abundance just outside the MPA. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Donax trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most common bivalve molluscs inhabiting the sandy shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This species, which is preferentially distributed on sediments at depths between 0 and about 2 m, is considered to be a substrate-sensitive organism because of its sensitivity to sediment grain size variations during its life cycle, in particular during its early growth stages. This study aims at investigating the relationship between D. trunculus ’ density distributions and sediment grain size, in order to evaluate its use as a biological indicator of grain-size variations in beach sediment. For this purpose, a specific environmental study was performed by ISPRA (Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) along six beaches located in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea between Ladispoli and Anzio (Rome, Italy). On each beach, samples of D. trunculus and superficial sediments were collected in the infra-littoral zone at 3 different depths (0, 0.5, and 1 m) between June 2002 and March 2004. The results pointed out that the distribution of D. trunculus populations is strongly influenced by the sediment's grain size variations. A significant positive correlation was found between species density and the 2.00-phi and 2.50-phi grain size classes; but, in particular, the predominance of the 2.00-phi grain size class in the beach's sediment seems to positively influence the species density and distribution. This study suggests that sediment grain size is the chief factor controlling the distribution of D. trunculus populations; suitable grain sizes allow the settlement and the subsequent growth of well-structured populations. Generally, species density declined in areas subjected to grain-size variations in beach sediments, suggesting a predictable biological response to both natural and human-caused stressors. The present study also highlighted that where nourishment was carried out using suitable sediments, the species reappears on the beach after a few months, as it finds an optimal substrate for settlement. In this case, finding D. trunculus specimens a few months after replenishment indicates that the nourishment operations have been successful from an environmental point of view. As reported by Carignan and Villard (2002) , a species that is strongly associated with particular habitat features could be a useful indicator; in particular, a species – like D. trunculus – that is negatively associated with human disturbances could be considered a “positive” indicator of ecological integrity. Long-term monitoring of D. trunculus abundance or density on sandy beaches (adequately carried out during the species’ recruitment period, e.g. between July and September), could help pinpoint the presence of natural or human-made phenomena that are leading to grain-size variations in the sediment. In conclusion, we can assume that D. trunculus can be used as a practical biological indicator to detect grain size variations on sandy beaches in coastal monitoring programmes; it could be a useful tool for researchers, managers and administrators to assess erosion phenomena while minimizing times and costs, also in view of an integrated coastal zone management.

Summary Sex and stage of gonad maturity in 6 year-old sturgeon hybrids (Acipenser naccarii female × Acipenser baerii male) were examined by means of ultrasonography, histology and sex steroid analyses during the reproductive season. Ultrasound images of gonads revealed male and female sturgeons at different stages of maturity, distinguished by gonad morphology and tissue echogenicity. Sexing and staging were found to be more difficult in immature fish, especially males, and ultrasounds were combined with sex steroids and histological analysis to confirm the sex and gonad developmental stage. Histology identified males and females at different developmental stages. Serum testosterone differed significantly between mature males and females (321 vs 15.4 ng ml−1) as well as 17β estradiol (0.4 vs 4.2 ng ml−1). High testosterone concentration was found also in immature sturgeon females. The male : female sex ratio was 1 : 1.5. Size was found to be significantly different between males (9.2 kg and 114.8 cm) and females (12.9 kg and 121.6 cm). Results indicate ultrasounds as a reliable, rapid and non invasive method to determine sex and maturity stages in hybrid sturgeon A. naccarii × A. baerii during the reproductive period, affording benefits to farmers for sex selection and breeding purposes. Further investigations are needed, in particular in immature individuals and outside the reproductive season, to identify sturgeon sex as early as possible.

The diet of pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula, caught monthly along the shores of the Island of Lampedusa, appeared to be mainly composed of crustaceans, followed by colonial ascidians, molluscs and polychaetes. Among prey, sand dwellers and phanerogam-associated species were recorded. In winter months, the diet was characterized by a small number of prey items, dominated by colonial ascidians, while in spring and summer a wider prey array was recorded. Dietary indices show that X. novacula do not strictly exploit benthic prey but also pelagic organisms, such as copepods. This feeding behaviour reached its peak in March and October, when the abundance of primary consumers was at its highest after phytoplankton blooms. Furthermore, X. novacula caught prey organisms according to their availability and seasonal patterns during their life cycles, irrespective of fish size.

The coastal zone of Baia (Naples) is currently included in a protected marine area, but in past it was affected by strong anthropogenic pressure for commercial harbour activity. In order to investigate the impact of past activities, a multidisciplinary characterisation was undertaken to evaluate the environmental quality of marine sediments. Thirty-six grab samples were collected for grain-size, heavy metals, PAHs and PCBs analyses. Rose Bengal stained replicates were taken for the analysis of benthic foraminifera. Chemical analyses highlighted sediment pollution mainly due to Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, PAHs and PCBs in the northern and southern part of the study area, where some sunken vessels had been present for many decades. Modifications of foraminiferal diversity and density, and increased percentage of abnormal specimens, were considered as indicators of environmental degradation. Correlation between faunal parameters and pollutant concentrations was found by means of statistical analysis. The highest degree of environmental stress shown by foraminifera in the northern sector could be referable to the high concentrations of PCBs (up to 144 ng g −1 d.w.).

The stomach contents of 69 Mediterranean spearfish Tetrapturus belone collected in the Strait of Messina, central Mediterranean Sea were examined. Of the total specimens, caught by harpoon, only three stomachs were empty. Their diet consisted mainly of pelagic fish and cephalopods. The most important piscine prey belonged to the families of Belonidae, Clupeidae and Scomberesocidae. Cephalopods were mainly represented by Tremoctopus violaceus in terms of per cent weight and by Illex coindetii in terms of per cent frequency of occurrence. Tetrapturus belone is an active predator on epipelagic fast-moving prey and school-forming species. Its ecological role is similar to that of other large pelagic species which share the same environment.

The feeding habits of Euthynnus alletteratus and its variations compared to predator size in the central Mediterranean Sea were investigated. The stomach contents of 187 specimens were analysed, ranging from 26.8 to 50.3 cm total length, caught by authorized experimental drift-nets. The difference in food items found in the stomachs was evaluated by occurrence of prey frequency, prey weight, and prey abundance; these criteria were used to calculate an index of relative importance. Fish were the dominant food detected according to all numerical indicators examined and were mainly represented by Maurolicus muelleri and larval stages of teleosts. Hyperiid amphipods, dominated by Anchylomera blossevillei and Phrosina semilunata, were well represented in terms of frequency of occurrence. Variations in the diet composition compared to fish size were observed. Comparative analysis performed on prey abundance highlighted a trend of increasing predator size-classes among prey items. The specimens of the smallest sizes ate mainly adult clupeiforms and larvae or other juvenile teleosts. As fish grew, there were increased amounts of adult teleosts, crustaceans (hyperiids and isopods) and cephalopods. Maurolicus muelleri was the most important prey for the largest specimens analysed. Significant differences among size-classes, both in prey abundance and in prey weight, were confirmed by non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NP-MANOVA).

Few studies have been carried out regarding the environmental impact of marine cages in the Western Mediterranean Sea. In fact, many more have been published concerning the northern Atlantic areas. A study of the marine fish farm impact of a was carried out to improve knowledge regarding these arguments in the Western Mediterranean. A marine fish farm, with light fish biomass, was selected to evaluate the sensitivity of environmental variables and measure their efficiency over increasing distances. The following environmental parameters were used: hydrodynamic (water current speed and dominant direction in the whole water column) and geochemical (sediment water content, porosity, total volatile substance, sulfide, redox potential, total nitrogen, total and organic carbon, total phosphorous, and total sulphur). The sea current was measured, in the whole water column, with an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler). Four sampling campaigns were performed in January and July 2001, and in May 2002 and October 2002 according to the different reared biomass. The results showed that the most efficient, practical and sensitive parameters were organic carbon, total carbon, total sulphur, sulfide, potential redox, total phosphorus and total nitrogen. The more detectable effects, highlighted by high levels of organic enrichment, were observed in the stations just beneath the cages; moderate impact was present in the area 50 m around the cages and no disturbance was observed further away from this area. The strong but spatially limited organic enrichment found would seem to suggest that the implementation of best management practices should include fallowing and rotation of sea cages to allow sediment recovery.

We collected pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula (Labridae), from a sandy bottom of Capo d’Orlando (Tyrrhenian Sea) to study their feeding habits. We caught fish by hand-lines and seine nets and identified, counted and weighed food items in their stomachs. We evaluated the importance of the different prey types by calculating the frequency of occurrence, abundance and mass. We used these values to calculate the index of relative importance (IRI) for each taxonomic category and a modified index (MI) which did not incorporate %N into the formula. Gammarideans were dominant food items in terms of %F but showed a very low MI value; the bivalve Acanthocardia tubercolata was the dominant species in terms of %W and MI value. The prey items were mostly benthic organisms belonging to the assemblage of fine, well-sorted sands showing that X. novacula is a benthic feeder. Despite the large number of prey taxa found, few species accounted for most of the prey consumed, indicating specialist feeding, as confirmed by the low value of the Levins’ standardised index. We found significant differences in prey distribution among size classes, with the highest prey diversity recorded in 120–140 mm TL size classes. Correspondence analysis showed a trend of increasing predator size classes among prey items, with small prey, such as copepods and amphipods, in the smallest predator size classes and bigger prey in the larger ones. Prey caught by larger predators differed significantly in weight from those taken by smaller specimens. There was a significant positive correlation of fish length with bivalves, decapods and echinoids, and a negative one with copepods, ostracods, caprellids, gammarideans. There were no significant differences between males and females of overlapping sizes. Juveniles are able to exploit only small, vulnerable prey, while adults take few, large prey, thereby avoiding competition with juveniles.

The distribution of tributyltin (TBT) in marine sediments from 16 areas of the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Ligurian Seas was investigated, to obtain an extensive description of TBT residues along the whole Italian coast. The selected sites are located in three different types of marine areas: near important harbours, near river mouths and in coastal areas with moderate anthropogenic impact. The highest concentrations were measured in the harbour areas of the Gulfs of Naples and Taranto (17.81 and 21.08 ng Sn g−1 d.w., respectively). The lowest values were observed in coastal areas of the S. Eufemia and Policastro Gulfs (7.23 and 7.41 ng Sn g−1 dry weight (d.w.) respectively). On the whole, the sampled sediments may be considered as lightly contaminated, according to recent international classification. The statistical analysis suggests a significant combined effect of type of coastal area and marine basin on the TBT values, while the grain size does not seem to have analogous importance in the distri...

The reproductive biology of the Mediterranean razor fish Xyrichthys novacula was investigated by demographic data and histological analysis of the female, intersexual and male gonads. Specimens were collected by bottom trawl on a monthly basis between June 2000 and July 2001 in a sandy bay in southern Thyrrenian. Gonad histology confirmed that the Mediterranean razor fish is a monandric, protogynous hermaphrodite. Females reached first sexual maturity at 100 mm (L T ) and the estimated mean LT at first maturity (L 50 ) was 125 mm. Females exhibited asynchronous ovarian development and multiple ovulations occurred over the spawning period. Vitellogenesis started in early May and spawning occurred from late May until late September. Sexual transition involved a large-scale atresia of all oocyte stages and a massive degeneration of ovarian tissue followed by primordial germ cells proliferation. Sex change began at spawning time (June) but transitional individuals tended to cluster at the end of the reproductive period (September). They accounted for 17.1% of the population sampled and were found in a broad size range (105-150 mm L T ).

Captive-reared dusky grouper were induced to ovulate using a sustained-release delivery system (implant) loaded with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist [D-Ala 6 , Pro 9 , NEt]-GnRH (GnRHa). Thirteen females were implanted at doses ranging from 30.5 to 68.3 A gk g 1 during three experiments between late June and early September. Of the injected females, 85% responded positively to the GnRHa implant and ovulated between 60 and 238 h after treatment, whereas none of control fish showed any sign of maturation. No spontaneous spawning was observed, and the eggs were manually removed from the females using gentle abdominal pressure. The mean number of ovulations per fish was 3.8, with a maximum of nine for one female. Overall, a total of 42 ovulations were obtained, resulting in the production of more than 5 million eggs. The average relative fecundity was 118.3F16.010 3 eggs kg 1 BW, with a maximum of 202.210 3 eggs kg 1 BW. Mean percentage fertilisation and hatching were 48.2% and 52.2%, respectively. The results demonstrate that GnRHa administration via controlled delivery systems is an effective method for producing good quality eggs in captive dusky grouper. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of the investigation was to quantify, during the daytime, the nutritional components N and P (as dissolved and particulate) discharged into the Orbetello Lagoon (Tuscany, Italy) from a fish farming facility equipped with a phytotreatment (lagooning) system to treat the effluent produced. Consideration was also given to the water quality improvement capacity of the treatment system used during the daytime phase in which Ulva rigida C. Ag develops spontaneously. Taking into consideration the short residence time (about 8 h) of the water inside the phytotreatment ponds, the results revealed a very active process of nitrification, an appreciable soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) abatement (15%), a relatively small mean annual dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) abatement (5%), sharp reduction in the organic fraction vis-a-vis the inorganic fraction in the particulate component and an appreciable modification of the physicochemical parameters, in particular the pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). The DIN and SRP uptake rates were relatively low compared to literature data. The most efficient DIN uptakes were obtained with algal densities between 700 and 1500 g/m2 wet weight (w.w.). Discriminant statistical analysis indicates that lagooning had a strong effect on the effluent despite the short residence time.

Demographic data and gonad histology confirmed that the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is a protogynous hermaphrodite that follows a monandric pathway to sexual development. Females reached first sexual maturity at 36.7 cm L S and estimated mean length at first maturity (L 50 ) was 43.8 cm L S for females and 81.3 cm L S for males. Adult sex ratios during the reproductive period were c. 3.5: 1 females to males. Females exhibited group-synchronous ovarian development and multiple ovulation occurred over the spawning period. Gonads were ripe from early May and spawning occurred from June until early September. The size of ripe testes (0.6% W) indicated strong oligospermy and suggested a mating system with no sperm competition. Sexual transition was protogynous involving regression of ovarian tissue and proliferation of testicular tissue in the gonads. Transitional individuals occurred from May through November and accounted for 9% of sampled adult population. Sex change occurred in fish 69-93 cm (L S ) long and the size distributions of males and females overlapped over 27% of the L S range Special zones were recognized as gathering areas for sexually mature dusky groupers during the reproductive period.

The results of a medium‐term survey of cetaceans in the central Tyrrhenian Sea, the first ever all‐year‐round one to be made in the Mediterranean, are reported. Individuals of Balaenoptera sp. were sighted throughout the year, although with significant seasonal differences, in agreement with the hypothesis of a resident population making seasonal migrations around, but remaining inside the Mediterranean Sea. Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), the most frequently observed species, are present all year round with no significant seasonal differences. Some observations on the presence and group structure of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) are reported. Individuals of four other species (Physeter macrocephalus, Grampus griseus, Globicephala melaena and Delphinus delphis) were also sighted.

Wild Seriola dumerilii were collected in the South Mediterranean Sea during the 1990, 1991 and 1992 spawning seasons. Macroscopic and cytological characteristics of ovary and testis were analysed. Depending on the presence and the number of oocytes at different stages, a five point maturity scale was proposed for ovarian maturity. Nine maturity stages of the oocytes are described. Oocyte size-frequency distribution has shown a group synchronous ovarian development type. The testes have a typical lobular-type structure. Depending on lobules and sperm duct development and on the abundance of germ cells, testis maturity was classified in four stages. Maturity rate according to age and size was also determined. 100% of 1-year-old fish show immature gonads. The proportion of females with mature ovaries was 0, 12.5, 84.6 and 100% at the age of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. The proportion of males with mature testes was 14.3, 40, 80 and 100 at the same age. The median standard length at which 50% of the fish attained maturity is 109 and 113 cm SL in males and females respectively.

With the aim to evaluate the mollusk Nacella (P)magellanica as biomonitor of elemental pollution in seawater of the Beagle Channel, more than one hundred individuals of the gastropod were sampled, separated in viscera and muscle, and then examined with respect to the accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Collection was performed in seven strategic locations along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in two campaigns during 2005 and 2007. Samples of surrounding seawater in the different sites were obtained and tested for the same metals as well. The accumulation capacity of Nacella (P)magellanica and thus its aptitude as biomonitor, was evaluated through the calculus of the preconcentration factors of the metals assayed. A discussion involving the comparison with other mollusks previously tested will be given. Several statistical approaches able to analyze data with environmental purposes were applied. Non parametric univariate tests such as Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney were carried out to assess the changes of the metal concentrations with time (2005 and 2007) in each location. Multivariate methods (linear discriminant analysis on PCA factors) were also applied to obtain a more reliable site classification. Johnson's probabilistic method was carried out for comparison between different geographical areas. The possibility of employing these results as heavy metals0 background levels of seawater from the Beagle Channel will be debated. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012. Fil: Conti, Marcelo Enrique. Università di Roma; Italia. International Academy of Environmental Sciences; Italia Fil: Stripeikis, Jorge Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina Fil: Finoia, Maria Grazia. Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale; Italia Fil: Tudino, Mabel Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; Argentina

A critical component of long term geological sequestration of anthropogenic CO(2) will be our ability to adequately monitor a chosen site to ensure public and environmental safety. Near surface monitoring is particularly important, as it is possible to conduct sensitive and direct measurements at the boundary between the subsurface and the biosphere (i.e. surface water or atmosphere). While discontinuous surface monitoring is often performed, continuous monitoring is preferable if one hopes to observe a leak in its early stages to allow for rapid remedial action. The geochemical signal that may result from a near-surface CO(2) leak might take the form of increased soil gas concentrations (on land) or changing pH, Eh, and aqueous chemistry (in groundwater or surface water), and thus continuous monitoring stations capable of analyzing for these parameters have great potential for early leak detection. In the framework of the EC-funded CO2GeoNet and CO2ReMoVe projects innovative monitoring systems have been designed and constructed for autonomous deployment in marine environments above geological CO(2) storage sites. The system developed within CO(2)GeoNet was tested at a site in the Gulf of Trieste where there is no gas release; this site was chosen due to easy access and the presence of an existing oceanographic buoy onto which the monitoring station was mounted. Tests on this early prototype highlighted the various difficulties of working in marine environments, and this experience formed the basis for a new system developed for deployment at the Panarea test site within CO2ReMoVe. This second site is located off the coast of Panarea Island, to the north of Sicily, where naturally-produced CO(2) leaks from the seabed into the water column. The advantage of this site is that the leaks occur in a relatively near-shore environment (