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1 - A series of experimental researches highlighted the role of morphometric parameters of phytoplankton guilds as descriptors of the ecological status of transitional water ecosystems (TWs). 2 - However, at present, standardized or common methodologies for their use do not exist. In this work, we develop a procedure for the determination of biovolume and surface area in phytoplankton guilds of Mediterranean TWs. 3 - Phytoplankton biovolume and surface area are included among the most studied morphometric descriptors. They can be estimated by associating the algae with similar geometric forms and determining the volume of these by measuring the linear dimensions required for its calculation under the light microscope. 4 - Here, a set of geometric models is suggested for calculating the cell biovolumes and surface area of 235 phytoplankton genera, deriving from the analysis of 869 phytoplankton species, found in transitional water ecosystems of the Mediterranean Ecoregion. The equations were designed to minimize the effort of microscopic measurements. 5 - The similarities and differences between the geometric models here proposed and previously published are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine litter is a threat to marine life and an economic burden for coastal communities, but efforts to address the issue are hampered by the lack of data for many countries. We performed the first harmonized assessment of seafloor litter (trawl and visual surveys) in six countries of the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. Seafloor litter showed an uneven distribution throughout the area, with large differences in litter densities and composition among countries and locations. An emerging problem in the area resulted in short-term & single-use objects that represented the largest fraction of litter. Packaging was the economic sector contributing most to seafloor litter on the continental shelf and upper slope, while in some areas aquaculture (mussel farming) represented a key activity producing marine litter. In coastal areas and bays (e.g. Boka Kotorska bay, Montenegro), seafloor litter was mainly related to construction activities and electronic goods, which are a consequence of fly-tipping/illegal dumping., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Macro- and microplastics abundances were determined in the Adriatic Sea following the MSFD TG10 protocol. The studied areas included populated gulfs, river outlets and offshore waters in five Adriatic countries. The use of small ships enabled us to detect small sized plastics (2.5-5 cm) and record average macroplastics densities of 251 ± 601 items km -2 , one order of magnitude higher than previously considered. Results from manta net tows for microplastics revealed an average abundance of 315,009 ± 568,578 items km -2 (217 ± 575 g km -2 ). We found significantly higher microplastics abundances in nearshore (≤4 km) than in offshore waters (>4 km) and this trend seems to affect also the small sized macro plastic fragments (2.5-5 cm). The dominant polymers were polyethylene and polypropylene while the presence of some rare polymers and waxes used in food and dentistry indicated waste water treatment plants as potential sources of microplastics., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)