X INCONTRO DEI DOTTORANDI IN ECOLOGIA E
SCIENZE DEI SISTEMI ACQUATICI
Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
Orto Botanico dell’Università di Palermo
PROGRAM AND ABSTRACT BOOK
Prefazione
Cari partecipanti al “X Incontro dei Dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze dei Sistemi Acquatici”,
Fare ricerca in Italia oggi è una sfida titanica. Esiguità di fondi ed eccesso di burocrazia
appesantiscono il lavoro del ricercatore distraendolo dal suo reale compito: produrre idee. Questo
scenario, aggravatosi nel corso degli ultimi anni, interferisce con la qualità e la quantità della
produzione di idee che largamente coincide con la produzione scientifica. Infatti, così come un
paese oberato dal carico fiscale stenta a far decollare la sua economia, un ricercatore sepolto in
mezzo alle scartoffie non avrà né il tempo né la serenità per fare ricerca. Considerando inoltre che
il sistema accademico italiano è largamente malato di nepotismi e, molto spesso, autoreferenziale
ne risulta un panorama generale desolante. Peraltro le cure escogitate dal politico di turno per
sanare le discrasie del sistema ricerca hanno spesso prodotto più danni che reali vantaggi. Per
non parlare dei trattamenti economici riservati agli insegnanti e ai ricercatori in Italia.
Coloro che si dedicano alla ricerca devono essere quindi spinti da una passione sconfinata per
continuare a svolgere il loro lavoro in modo produttivo/creativo. In coloro che, all’inizio della
carriera, si accingono a fare della ricerca la loro scelta di vita questa passione deve essere
travolgente (a tal punto dall’essere scambiata talvolta per mancanza di sanità mentale).
L’Associazione Italiana di Oceanologia e Limnologia e la Società Italiana di Ecologia nel lanciare
l’iniziativa dell’ incontro annuale dei dottorandi in ecologia e scienze dei sistemi acquatici, giunta
ormai alla X edizione, hanno riconosciuto la bellezza di questa passione e la necessità di
incentivarla e motivarla.
La passione e le idee dei dottorandi di oggi rappresentano le potenzialità future di ricerca nel
nostro paese. Potenzialità che bisogna coltivare e far crescere, nonostante tutte le difficoltà, e a cui
è importante dare la stessa attenzione dovuta alle cose fragili.
Come ormai può essere definita tradizione, durante il X incontro dei Dottorandi in Ecologia e in
Scienze dei Sistemi acquatici, le idee dei giovani ricercatori saranno presentate, confrontate,
discusse ed eventualmente criticate tra pari per produrre una scienza migliore, più solida,
indipendente e innovativa.
Anche in questa edizione alle presentazioni si affiancano attività tutoriali rivolte all’acquisizione
degli strumenti necessari all’esposizione dei risultati ottenuti. Il workshop di apertura sarà
quest’anno dedicato all’esplorazione degli strumenti statistici, imprescindibili per l’analisi dei
risultati e la validazione delle ipotesi. In particolare, il Dr. Nico Salmaso condurrà i partecipanti alla
scoperta di “R”, il potente software di computo statistico e rappresentazione grafica dei risultati
liberamente disponibile in Internet. Un ulteriore momento informativo è costituito dal forum su
“Ottimizzazione nell’uso dei dati ecologici” volto a fornire ai partecipanti alcune informazioni sui
principi di raccolta ed elaborazione dei dati scientifici.
Mi auguro che l’incontro possa rappresentare un momento di scambio proficuo ed arricchimento
reciproco per tutti voi!
Buon lavoro!
Il Presidente AIOL
Luigi Naselli-Flores
Indice
PROGRAMMA ................................................................................................................................... 5
PRESENTAZIONI ORALI ................................................................................................................. 8
Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico ..................................................................... 8
Eco-biologia dei sistemi acquatici ................................................................................................. 15
Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica ......................................................................................... 22
POSTER ............................................................................................................................................. 29
Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico ................................................................... 29
Eco-biologia dei sistemi acquatici ................................................................................................. 40
Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica ......................................................................................... 42
PROGRAMMA
X INCONTRO DEI DOTTORANDI
IN ECOLOGIA E SCIENZE AMBIENTALI
Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
Orto Botanico dell’Università di Palermo (Via Lincoln, 2)
07 Aprile, lunedì
08.30-09.30: Registrazione all’Incontro
09.30-10.00: Opening
10.00-18.30: Workshop
19:30: Ice-break
08 Aprile, martedì
09.30-10.45: Presentazioni orali: Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica
09.30-09.45: Application of innovative methods to evaluate the ecotoxicity of
Diethylene glycol
Canepa Sara
09.45-10.00: Insights on the toxic effect of Ostreopsis cf. ovata: the role of direct/indirect
contact with microalgal cells
Giussani Valentina
10.00-10.15: Growth of microalgal biomass on supernatant from biosolids dewatering
Marazzi Francesca Alice
10.45-12.45: Tavola Rotonda: “Ottimizzazione nell’uso dei dati ecologici”
Relatori: Dott. Bertoni R., Prof. Mazzola A., Prof. Naselli-Flores L., Dott. Salmaso N.
Pausa Pranzo
14.45-15.30: Presentazioni orali: Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica
14.45-15.00: Development of new biosensing techniques to monitor marine pollution
Morgana Silvia
15.00-15.15: Evaluation of spatial distribution and accumulation of novel brominated flame
retardants, HBCD and PBDES in an Italian subalpine lake using zebra mussel (Dreissena
polymorpha)
Poma Giulia
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
5
15.15-15.30: Biosurfactant production by bacteria isolated from filter-feeding organisms
(Annelida:Polychaeta)
Rizzo Carmen
15.30-16.15: Poster corner:Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico
Relatori: Andolina C., Colla S., Conte A., Durante G., Incagnone G., Mazzotta L., Mirasole A.,
Noè S., Papale M., Rizzo L.
16.15-16.45: Break – Poster display
16.45-17.30: Presentazioni orali: Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico
16.45-17.00: Study of the macrozoobenthic community within the Grand Harbour, Valletta,
Malta
D’Alessandro Michela
17.00-17.15: Quantile regression analysis as predictive for lake macroinvertebrate
biodiversity
Fornaroli Riccardo
17.15-17.30: Effects of chronic bottom trawling disturbance on benthic communities in the
Southern Tyrrhenian Sea
Mangano Maria Cristina
17.30-18.30: Discussione aperta sui contributi presentati
09 Aprile, mercoledì
09.45-10.30: Presentazioni orali: Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico
09.45-10.00: Response of macrozoobenthos to synergistic effect of contaminants in the Mar
Piccolo of Taranto
Nasi Federica
10.00-10.15: Benthic microalgal community composition and trophic status of sediments in
the port of Trieste
Rogelja Manja
10.15-10.30: A municipality, an ecosystem
Visani Ilaria
10.30-11.30: Poster Corner: Ecobiologia dei Sistemi Acquatici & Ecotossicologia
Relatori: Bonfardeci A., Capelli C., Cattano C., Di Donato G., Gjoni V., La Marca E.C., Napoli S.,
Pecoraro C.
11.30-12.00: Break – Poster Display
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
6
12.00-12.45: Presentazioni orali: Ecobiologia dei Sistemi Acquatici
12.00-12.15: Influence of water transparency and lake morphology on the distribution of
macrophytes along the depth gradient
Azzella Mattia Martin
12.15-12.30: Infection of native crab species and of the invasive Callinectes sapidus by the
dynoflagellate Hematodinium spp. in two Mediterranean coastal habitats
Carrozzo Leonardo
12.30-12.45: Impacts of dense shelf water cascading in the southern Adriatic Sea: an
integrated approach to evaluate small-scale variability on the benthic compartment
Conese Ilaria
Pausa Pranzo
15.00-16.00: Presentazioni orali: Ecobiologia dei Sistemi Acquatici
15.00-15.15: Relationship between seasonal variation of carbonate
coccolithophores in the gulf of Trieste
Ingrosso Gianmarco
system and
15.15-15.30: MultiBeam EchoSounder (MBES) backscatter signal analysis in marine environment:
Applications to study 3D pelagic fish resources
Innangi Sara
15.30-15.45: Environmental drivers for the secular evolution of Lake Garda as outlined by
paleolimnological reconstructions
Milan Manuela
16.00-16.30: Break – Poster Display
16.30-17.30: Discussione aperta sui contributi presentati
17.30-18.30: Premiazioni, Conclusioni e Saluti Finali
CENA SOCIALE
10 Aprile, Giovedì
10.30-12.00: Visita guidata all’Orto Botanico
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
7
PRESENTAZIONI ORALI
Sessione 1
Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
8
Study of the macrozoobenthic community within the Grand Harbour,
Valletta, Malta
D’Alessandro M.1,2, Andaloro F.2, Deidun A.3, Esposito V.1, Giacobbe S.2, Romeo T.1
1
ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei
Mille, 46 - 98057 Milazzo (ME), Italy. [email protected]
2
ISPRA Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, c/o Marbela Residence, via
Salvatore Puglisi 9,90143 Palermo, Italy
3
University of Malta, Physical Oceanography Unit, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
4
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres,
31–98166 S. Agata, Messina, Italy
Benthic invertebrates, in view of their rapid and consistent responses to natural or
anthropogenic stress, are widely used to assess the status of and anthropogenic impacts
on the marine environment. The present study (carried out in the BIODIVALUE Project PO
ITALIA-MALTA 2007-2013) reports on the preliminary description of the macrozoobenthic
community within the Grand Harbour, of Valletta (Malta, Central Mediterranean), analyzed
as a proxy of the degree of sediment pollution. This port is exposed to different levels of
anthropogenic pressures and impacts as a result of several activities, such as electrical
powerstations, vessel repair and decommissioning, grit-blasting, shipping and maritime
traffic.
Benthic macrofauna was collected by means of a 0.1 m2 Van Veen grab during June 2013,
at six sampling stations from 4.5 to 23 m depth. Univariate and multivariate statistical
analyses were applied in order to identify any possible differences in the benthic
community structure at the different sampling stations and to investigate any putative
correlations between such data and granulometric one; the presence and distribution of
plastic debris (marine litter) were also examined. A total of 1385 specimens belonging to
41 families were recorded. Cirratulidae, Corbulidae, Spionidae and Capitellidae were the
most abundant families, testifying of a generalized condition of environmental instability,
with peaks of disturbance that may be related with human activities. A direct link between
benthic assemblages and distribution of plastic debris has not been found.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
9
Quantile regression analysis as predictive for lake macroinvertebrate
biodiversity
Fornaroli R.1, Cabrini R.1, Zaupa S.2, Bettinetti R.3, Ciampittiello M.2, Boggero A.2
1
DISAT, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milano, Italy. Tel:
3484940630, [email protected]
2
CNR Institute of Ecosystem Study (ISE), L.go Tonolli 50/52, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy
3
University of Insubria, Teorethical and Applied Science Dept., Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
In Italy, the Water Framework Directive introduced major changes to water management,
by making water resources more efficient and enforceable, so, this study aims to highlight
some of the potential implications of its implementation for lake management. In this
respect, the Life+ INHABIT project was crucial in launching the monitoring plan of lake
macroinvertebrates, standardized at national level.
Quantile regression analysis was focused on nine lakes, located in two Italian regions
(Piedmont and Sardinia), sampled through the national standardized protocol. In order to
link macroinvertebrate community characteristics to their habitat, we measured twenty-one
variables that represent chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of the
environment. We evaluated the limiting action of such variables and selected sampling
depth and oxygen percent saturation as the two variables that best explained the number
of taxa present and the macroinvertebrate community diversity of a site. We provided a set
of minimum expected values along the sampling depth gradient. These results should be
taken into account in the development of ecological indices that must be able to recognize
and separate the effects of anthropogenic pressures from any natural variability.
Finally, the selected models are able to predict the potential of community diversity as a
function of environmental characteristics. All of this evidence can help water managers in
deciding to initially invest resources in those lakes where the biological communities is
expected to be impaired and to identify which lakes can be considered pristine or in nearpristine conditions.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
10
Effects of chronic bottom trawling disturbance on benthic communities
in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea
Mangano M. C.1,2, Kaiser M. J.2, Porporato E. M. D.1, Spanò N.1
1
DiSBA Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno
d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italia. Tel.: +39 3489392878, [email protected]
2
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, LL59 5AB, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, U.K.
The benthic communities' responses to trawling disturbance were investigated on a fishing
ground scale along a gradient of fishing pressure, following a novel approach on the soft
bottoms ecosystems off the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. The Southern Tyrrhenian Sea has
been chosen for the central position in the Mediterranean basin. The continental shelf and
slope soft bottoms ecosystems were investigated since historically mostly exploited by the
trawling fleets operating in the study area. Impacts of otter trawling activity were detected
on: 1) mega-epibenthic communities; 2) macro-infaunal communities; 3) population
structure and diet of two scavenger species.
The analysis on mega-epibenthic communities took advantage of non-target epibenthic
species retained from an experimental otter trawl net.The analysis of Vessel Monitoring
System data was performed for the first time in the study area, permitting to detect infaunal
communities' responses to a gradient of trawling disturbance and long-term Fishery
Exclusion Zone. Positive temporal aggregations of the two astropectinid species
Astropecten bispinosus and A. irregularis were analysed in exploited areas. Changes in
population arrangement and diet composition were interestingly related to fishing activity.
The obtained results allow describing the state of health of benthic communities and the
magnitude of fishing intensity exerted, additionally providing insight as to how the trawling
disturbance effects might be managed in the future, in a context of ecosystem
management approach. The research was developed during the PhD period at the
Laboratory of Benthic Ecology (DiSBA, University of Messina). Data analyses were
performed in collaboration with Fisheries & Conservation Science Group (School of Ocean
Sciences, Bangor University).
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
11
Response of macrozoobenthos to synergistic effect of contaminants in
the Mar Piccolo of Taranto
Nasi F.1,2, Auriemma R.1, Cibic T.1, Del Negro P.1
1
OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale), Sezione Oceanografia, v. A. Piccard
54, I-34151, Trieste, Italy. [email protected]
2
Department of Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, v. Valerio 28/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
Since 1960s, the Mar Piccolo has been affected by a wide spectrum of anthropogenic
pressures, leading to severe pollution. This environmental contamination likely affects the
abundance and composition of benthic communities. In the framework of RITMARE flag
project, the resilience of the macrozoobenthic community, affected by chemical
contamination, was evaluated. In June 2013, sediments were sampled at four stations to
evaluate structural sediment parameters i.e. granulometry, the content of total carbon (TC)
and nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC) and biopolymeric carbon (BPC). Oxygen
microprofiles were carried out in the surface sediments. TOC content was generally high
ranging from 38.1 mg C g-1 to 42.9 to mg C g-1, while the total macrozoobenthic
abundance ranged between 589 ind. m-2 and 1911 ind. m-2. Stations were characterized by
the presence of typically marine species or, in contrast, by the presence of species typical
of paralic environments. Few alien species, the isopod Paracereis sculpta and the bivalve
Arcuatula senhousia, were observed. Almost all encountered taxa are characteristic of
areas with a high organic carbon content and low oxygen concentration (e.g. the bivalve
Corbula gibba and the polychaete Notomastus latericeus). The composition of
macrozoobenthic community at different stations reflects the hydrodynamism of the area
and confirms the role of marine waters exchange through the canals of the Mar Grande.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
12
Benthic microalgal community composition and trophic status of
sediments in the port of Trieste
Rogelja M.1, Cibic T.1, Del Negro P.1
1
OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale), Sezione Oceanografia, v. A. Piccard
54, I-34151, Trieste, Italy. Tel.: 0402249740, [email protected]
The purpose of this study was to contribute to promote ecosystem-based management
and its application in coastal areas, grounded on a better understanding of the ecosystem
functionality. In particular, this study aimed to assess the benthic ecosystem trophic status
and the response of the microalgal community to multiple and diffuse anthropogenic
impacts in a harbour area. Sampling was performed in spring 2013 at 7 sites,
characterized by different degrees of impact, inside the Port of Trieste. In each site, the
structural characteristics of different types of sediments were defined; measurements of
photosyntethically active radiation (PAR), water temperature and salinity were recorded in
the water column. The microphytobenthic total abundance and community structure were
evaluated and the main energy storage processes (primary production) and dissipation
(respiration) were also estimated. Within the microalgal community, taxa resistant to
pollutants were identified. At all investigated stations the qualitative composition of the
microalgal population was similar and diatoms represented the dominant phylum. We
observed 26 genera of diatoms with Nitzschia beeing the most represented. St. 2 and 3
were caracterized by the presence of Nitzschia cfr. commutata, a species more tollerant to
pollution, with relative abundances of 22.6% and 14.2%, respectively. Only St. 6 with an
extremely high value of net production (64 mgC m-2 h-1) and the barely positive St. 5
(1.53 mgC m-2 h-1) were net autotrophic. At all other sampled stations the benthic system
was net heterotrophic.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
13
A municipality, an ecosystem
Visani I.1, Aschonitis V.1, Fano E. A1.
1
Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology , University of Ferrara, Italy. Tel.: 3384872832,
[email protected]
So far the studies on urban metabolism regard only few cities of the world, mostly large
metropolitan areas and cities. With this research we try to go one step forward in this kind
of analyses, applying the urban metabolism and Material Flow Analysis theories on small
to medium systems. So we think it will be possible to overcome the existing difficulties
obtaining universally recognized and comparable data. Moreover small and medium cities
are much more widespread than megalopolis so the importance of this target is
unquestionable.
We tried to elaborate a methodology simple and proper enough to be considered effective
but also flexible enough to allow to reflect the peculiarities of the considered area.
This approach were applied to the Municipality of Faenza, a medium reality in Northern
Italy. Estimating urban metabolism required the formulation of two specific indicators: NAS
(Net Addiction to Stock) and DMC (Domestic Material Consumption).
As a result of these indicators various conclusions could be drawn, such as the high rate of
urbanization of the Municipality in the last years, the total export of waste out of the system
and the prevalence of imports over exports, that increase the city dependence from
outside territories, both for inputs (energy and materials) and outputs (waste). We also
compared these results to Paris and its region (Barles, 2009). In conclusion this is another
step in order to better understand urban metabolism. Analyzing medium cities permits to
spread the computation and the method applied even for obtaining a better governance.
Keywords: Urban metabolism, Sustainable cities, City ecosystem, Material Flow Analysis
(MFA), Multidisciplinary approach to urban ecology.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
14
Sessione 2
Eco-biologia dei sistemi acquatici
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
15
Influence of water transparency and lake morphology on the
distribution of macrophytes along the depth gradient
Azzella M. M.1, Bolpagni R.2, Mjelde M.3, Lombardo P.4
1
Department of Environmental Biology, La Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, RomeItaly
2
Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, V.le G.P. Usberti 11/A, Italy
3
Section of Integrated Water Resources Management, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA),
Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway,
4
Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (DICEAA), "M. Giustini" Ecology Lab,
University of L'Aquila, Coppito Science Center, I-67100 L'Aquila, Italy
Underwater light regime is widely considered the principal determinant of submerged
aquatic plant distribution. The majority of previous studies have singled out Secchi disk
transparency values (SD) as a key empirical factor to explain the maximum depth of
macrophyte colonization (Zc). Few studies have investigated the role of lake morphology
in structuring aquatic plants beds. Using two datasets (20 Italian lakes and 173 Norwegian
lakes), we explored the relationships among Zc, transparency and morphometric traits to
investigate their possible effects on macrophyte depth distribution, also in relation to a
possible latitudinal effect. The SD–Zc relationship was best described by a similar
polynomial correlation in both Italian and Norwegian lakes, emphasizing the importance of
nonlinear analysis on non-transformed data in the description of ecological trends. Our
results confirm i) a direct dependence of Zc on SD values and demonstrate ii) a significant
role of lake area in the descriptive linear model.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
16
Infection of native crab species and of the invasive Callinectes sapidus
by the dynoflagellate Hematodinium spp. in two Mediterranean coastal
habitats
Carrozzo L.1, Pagliara P.2, Zotti M.2, Mancinelli G.2
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of the Salento, S.P.
Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy, Tel.: +393287965136, [email protected]
2
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of the Salento, S.P.
Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
The brachyuran assemblage was surveyed monthly in the Torre Colimena basin and
Acquatina Lagoon, two coastal habitats located on the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of the
Salento peninsula (Southern Italy) using crab traps. In addition, the hemolymph of
sampled crab specimens was screened using histological techniques in order to verify the
occurrence of dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Hematodinium and the speciesspecificity of the parasite-host interaction.
The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus was sampled in the Torre Colimena basin
during the whole experimental period and no other crab species were ever collected. In
contrast, in the Acquatina Lagoon four crab species were sampled, including C. sapidus.
Noticeably, the blue crab was collected only in spring and summer months, when the
abundance of native crab species declined dramatically.
The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium sp., known to determine in C. sapidus the
degenerative “bitter crab” syndrome in its native habitats, was ubiquitously detected in the
hemolymph of blue crabs from both habitats and in native brachyurans collected in the
Acquatina Lagoon. Peak abundances of infected specimens occurred in summer months;
in this period, significant inter-site differences in the incidence of the infection were
observed. The diverse spectrum of potential ecological effects triggered by the CallinectesHematodinium interaction on native brachyuran species is examined, while the potential
controlling role of abiotic conditions characterizing the different habitats is discussed.
Keywords: Callinectes sapidus; alien species; Hematodinium sp.; bitter crab syndrome;
host-parasite interaction; ecological impact
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
17
Impacts of dense shelf water cascading in the southern Adriatic Sea: an
integrated approach to evaluate small-scale variability on the benthic
compartment
Conese I.1, Langone L.1, Miserocchi S.1, Tesi T.2, Boldrin A.3, Prevedelli D.4
1
CNR–ISMAR – Bologna, 3384021765, [email protected]
Stockholm University – Stoccolma
3
4
CNR-ISMAR – Venezia, Università di Modena e ReggioEmilia
2
Southern Adriatic Sea is an area of sinking dense water formed in the northern Adriatic
shelf during winter, with strong interannual variability. When dense water reaches
continental slope in the southern Adriatic Sea falls into the deep basin (cascading)
exporting dissolved and particulate matter to the deepest part (O2, CO2, DOC, POC, etc).
During the last decade, the process of cascading of dense water has been studied in the
western Adriatic continental margin and particularly in the Bari canyon with moored
instrumentation.
In February 2012 particular climatic conditions caused a strong cooling of the northern
Adriatic Sea with consequent formation of shelf water particularly dense. During this period
has been set an experiment to analyze the response of deep marine environment to such
an extreme event.
The thesis aim is to analyze some aspects of the impact of the dense shelf water
cascading in the southern Adriatic Sea. In particular to:
- study spatial and temporal variations of fluxes of organic and inorganic particles
measured by automatic sediment traps, to evaluate relative importance of lateral
advective lateral fluxes (cascading) compared to vertical fluxes of marine particles;
- characterize qualitatively and quantitatively the biological component of flux particles, in
term of both passive flux and swimmer occurrence, particular evaluating the spatial and
temporal mesozooplankton variability;
- evaluate the impact of dense shelf water cascading on small-scale variability of benthic
habitat in the Bari canyon.
First results concerning total mass fluxes and description of mesozooplankton collected by
sediment traps are shown.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
18
Relationship between seasonal variation of carbonate system and
coccolithophores in the gulf of Trieste
Ingrosso G.1,2, Cerino F.2, Fornasaro D.2, Cabrini M.2, Comici C.2,
De Vittor C.2, Kralj M.2, Del Negro P.2, Giani M.2
1
University of Trieste, Italy. Tel: +39 040 2249732, [email protected]
Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS), Oceanography Section (OCE), Via
Auguste Piccard 54, 34151 S.Croce (TS) - Italy
2
The uptake of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by the oceans has caused and will continue
to cause a seawater pH decrease. This process, termed as “ocean acidification”, is
projected to change drastically the marine carbonate system and represents a threat to
marine species, communities, and ecosystems. Coccolithophores are marine calcifying
microalgae which are expected to respond to the ongoing changes in seawater CO2
system. However the influence of carbonate chemistry parameters on coccolithophores’
dynamics remains still unclear.
The present work investigates the coccolithophore seasonal variation in the Gulf of Trieste
during two years of sampling (March 2011-February 2013) in relation to high quality
measurements of the carbonate system and other environmental parameters. A strong
seasonal variability of the marine CO2 system was found, as a result of different physical
and biological processes such as air-sea CO2 gas exchange, riverine inputs, mixing, and
net community production. Coccolithophores were more abundant in autumn and winter,
whereas during spring-summer periods they were very scarce or undetectable. This
seasonal pattern was mainly linked to [HCO3-], which is the preferential form used by
coccolithophores for their intracellular calcification. Other related parameters were
dissolved inorganic carbon, [CO32-], salinity, and phosphates, whereas the other nutrients
did not seem to play a significant role.
Our results clearly show that carbonate system could be considered a crucial ecological
factor for the determination of coccolithophore abundance and distribution. Nevertheless
more investigations are necessary to confirm the robustness of the described relations,
also considering the different life stages of these organisms.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
19
MultiBeam EchoSounder (MBES) backscatter signal analysis in marine
environment: Applications to study 3D pelagic fish resources
Innangi S.1, Bonanno A.2, Tonielli R.1
1
Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero sede, CNR, Naples, Italy
Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero U.O.S. Capo Granitola, CNR, Mazara, Italy
2
The MultiBeam EchoSounder (MBES) had a remarkable technological development for
marine sciences. As a matter of fact, these instruments provide bathymetric, morphological
and seafloor composition information. Currently it is possible to study the backscatter of
the whole water column, which is useful, for example, to identify fish schools. This PhD
research project was aimed to study 3D pelagic fish resources with MBES water column
backscatter. This made it possible to characterize the main geometries (i.e. volume,
shape, size, etc.) of schools of fish and their spatial distribution. Also in this work were
compared data collected with 2D visualization scientific echosounder and 3D ones with
MBES, in order to show it is possible to obtain more realistic estimates in the monitored
areas.
The data was acquired in monitoring of the anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus; Linneo,
1758) and sardinia (Sardina pilchardus; Walbaum, 1792) fish stocks of the GSA16
(Channel of Sicily), MEDIAS (MEDIterranean Acoustic Surveys), financed by European
Data Collection Framework (DCF).
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
20
Environmental drivers for the secular evolution of Lake Garda as
outlined by paleolimnological reconstructions
Milan M.1,2
1
Sustainable Agro-ecosystems and Bioresources Department, IASMA Research and Innovation Centre,
Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige (TN), Italy. 0461- 650256,
[email protected]
2
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
[email protected]
Lake Garda, the largest Italian lake, is divided in two sub-basins: the NW deepest one
(350 m) and the SE shallowest one (81 m). A regular monitoring program of lake chemistry
and biology has been started in the early 1990s. Before that, only sporadic limnological
measurements are available. Lake sediment records provide a complementary source of
information to extend the time span of ecological records back into the past, through the
reconstruction of secular lake evolution. Radiometrical dating, geochemical (water and LOI
content) and biological proxies (algal pigments and diatoms) are being analysed in two
short cores (56 cm and 65 cm) retrieved from the deepest point in each basins. The subfossil diatom assemblages analysis show two major changes in both cores. The first one,
in mid 1940s, consists of a decrease in benthic taxa. The second change consists of an
increase in the relative abundance of planktonic Fragilariaceae around 1960, accompanied
by a decrease in the most common centrics (i.e. Cyclotella comensis). The diatom based
reconstructions of lake TP concentration in the two lake basins show very stable
oligotrophic conditions since the early 1960, followed by a consistent increase peaking in
the late 1980s. The limnological data confirm the long-term TP trend.
Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses, coupled with correlation analyses
with a set of environmental variables, were performed on sub-fossil diatom assemblages.
The analysis outputs indicate the ecological lake evolution as strongly correlated with air
temperature, and changes in NAO and EA teleconnection indices. This confirms recent
findings (Salmaso and Cerasino, 2012), demonstrating how inter-annual changes in
trophic conditions of Lake Garda are largely controlled by climatic fluctuations.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
21
Sessione 3
Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
22
Application of innovative methods to evaluate the ecotoxicity of
Diethylene glycol
Canepa S.1, 2, Tornambè A.2, Manfra L.2
1
Università degli Studi di Genova. Tel.: 3477681144, [email protected]
ISPRA Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Via V. Brancati 48, 00144 Roma
2
The present research concern to the application of innovative methods for assessing the
ecotoxicity of environmental contaminants. We want to evaluate the long-term toxicity of
diethylene glycol (DEG ), an additive largely used during oil and gas exploitation process
to prevent hydrate formation and corrosion events. It may be within produced formation
water (the main discharge of offshore platforms) and discharged into the sea. Thus,
toxicity data are necessary to avoid marine pollution. The ecotoxicological assessment
focused on crustaceans, molluscs and fish. The main objectives of the study regards : the
selection of a method, among the most recent standardized protocols, which involves the
use of marine crustaceans in the Mediterranean Sea; the development of a long-term
toxicity test on marine molluscs since the literature offers only guidelines to evaluate the
acute and chronic exposure of freshwater species; the assessment of suitable conditions
for the application of the protocol reference C14 (CE 440/200) for freshwater species to a
native marine species.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
23
Insights on the toxic effect of Ostreopsis cf. ovata: the role of
direct/indirect contact with microalgal cells
Giussani V.1, Costa E.2, Sbrana F.3, Asnaghi V.1, Vassalli M.3, Faimali F.4, Casabianca S.5,
Penna A.5, Ciminiello P.6, Dell’Aversano C.6, Tartaglione L.6, Mazzeo A.6, Garaventa F.2,
Lavorano S.7, Chiantore M1
1
DISTAV- University of Genoa. Tel.: +39 010 3538563, [email protected]
CNR –Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), Venezia, Italy
3
CNR – The Biophysics Institute (IBF), Genoa, Italy
4
CNR –Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), Genoa, Italy
5
DISB - University of Urbino, Italy
6
University Federico II, Napoli, Italy
7
Acquario di Genova e Costa Edutainment S.p.A, Genova, Italy
2
Ostreopsis cf. ovata is a harmful benthic dinoflagellate, widespread along most of
Mediterranean coasts. It produces several toxins and variable amount of mucus that may
totally cover substrates, especially during the stationary phase of blooms, in which cells
are aggregated. Studies on different aspects of the biology and ecology of Ostreopsis spp.
are increasing, yet knowledge on toxicity mechanism are still scarce. In particular, the
potential active role of the mucilaginous matrix has not yet been proved, although when
mass mortalities have occurred, organisms were reported to be covered by the typical
brownish mucilage.
In order to better elucidate toxicity dependence of direct/indirect contact with O. cf. ovata
cells, we carried out toxicity bioassays exposing Artemia salina nauplii and Aurelia aurita
ephyrae to several treatments of O. cf. ovata culture. Our results have reported higher
effects when a direct contact between model organisms and intact microalgal cells occurs,
triggering further investigation on the discrimination between the role of the cells and its
mucous filaments in conveying toxins to the organisms. Results of this second test,
combined with chemical analysis, provide evidence, for the first time, of a significant toxic
effect (p < 0.01) on A. salina also after exposition to growth medium (devoid of microalgal
cells) only when containing O. ovata mucilage. Similar trend has been reported also on A.
aurita ephyrae.
Moreover, the connection between the thecal plates, pores, trychocysts and the
mucilaginous matrix was explored by way of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate
cell surface at a sub-nanometer resolution, providing a pioneering description of the inner
side of O. cf. ovata thecal plates.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
24
Growth of microalgal biomass on supernatant from biosolids
dewatering
Marazzi F.1, Fornaroli R.1, Cabrini R.1, Sartori L.1, Canobbio S. 1,Mezzanotte V.1,
Ficara E.2
1
Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Ambiente e del Territorio, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della
Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, IT
2
Dipartimento ingegneria civile e ambientale, Politecnico di Milano, piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, IT
This study shows the preliminary results for the evaluation of the possible use of a
photobioreactor within a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), growing microalgae on the
sludge dewatering supernatant from anaerobic digestate. Microalgae are photosynthetic
microorganisms with simple growing requirements that can produce lipids, proteins and
carbohydrates in large amounts over short periods of time. At the moment microalgae
biomass shows great potential as raw material for producing biofuel, and those organism
could bring benefit to WWTPs, which at the moment have some critical point, due to low
efficiency. This study has two main objectives: removing nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorus) and produce biomass, which can be used as substrate for biogas production
by anaerobic digestion. Preliminary tests are in agreement with literature data. In those
experiments microalgal inocula (Chlorella Sp and Scendesmus obliquus) are cultivated in
semi-continuous reactor; CO2 is artificially supplied and a mixture of treated effluent and
sludge dewatering supernatant is used as feed. Light is provided by fluorescent lamps;
sludge dewatering supernatants can be well utilized by microalgae as a growth medium
and nitrogen removal efficiency is 77%-82%. Specific tests show that the algal biomass
has a biomethane potential similar to that of excess sludge. An other option to reduce the
production costs and the greenhouse gas emission is to use the off-gas from the WWTP
turbine as source of CO2 for the microalgae.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
25
Development of new biosensing techniques to monitor marine pollution
Morgana S.1,2, Pronzato R.2, Faimali M.1
1
CNR––Istituto di Scienze Marine ISMAR Sezione Tecnologie Marine, Via de Marini, 6, 16149 Genova
DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE DELLA TERRA, DELL’AMBIENTE E DELLA VITA, Università di Genova,
Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italia. [email protected]
2
In the last few years it has become increasingly important the contribution of
ecotoxicological assays to the environmental monitoring, as integration of chemical
analyses; which are a highly effective analytical tools, capable of assessing the presence
of the whole substances and their derivates. However these analyses do not provide data
about the effect of chemicals on biota. In fact, chemical contaminants rarely affect
organisms as single substances, but instead cause adverse effects as diverse mixture.
Therefore chemical analysis need to be integrated with biological methods that assess the
toxicity of the contaminant biologically available. For this reason, in the assessment of
water quality, an integrated approach is recommended and new ecotoxicological analytical
tools are required.
The aim of the present study is the optimization of innovative methodologies of
ecotoxicological investigation of the marine environment in situ and ex situ, based on the
use of biosensing techniques recently developed by ISMAR-CNR Genoa. In a first
approach we will investigate the possibility to use an electrochemical biosensor (ALVIM
BETA Biosensore Elettrochimico per la Tossicità delle Acque ) for the transduction of
natural biofilm to detect in real time environmental quality alteration, in a simple, quick and
cheap way (Pavanello et al., 2011).
In addition we will optimize and improve a behavioral test (Swimming Speed Alteration
Test), using new different model organisms and reducing time of exposure, through
SWIMMING BEHAVIOUR RECORDER (SBR system; Faimali et al., 2006), which can be
used in laboratory ecotoxicological testing to evaluate the toxicity associated to toxic
compounds and environmental samples.
Bibliografia
faimali m., garaventa f., piazza v., greco g., corra’ c., magillo f., pittore m., giacco e., gallus l., falugi c.,
tagliafierro g. (2006). Swimming speed alteration of larvae of Balanus amphitrite (Darwin) as a behavioural
end-point toxicological bioassays. Mar. Biol. 149 (1): 87-96.
pavanello g., faimali m., pittore m., mollica a., mollica a., mollica a. (2011). Exploiting a new electrochemical
sensor for biofilm monitoring and water treatment optimization. Water Research 45, 1651–1658.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
26
Evaluation of spatial distribution and accumulation of novel brominated
flame retardants, HBCD and PBDES in an Italian sub-alpine lake using
zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Poma G.1, Binelli A.2, Volta P.3, Roscioli C.1, Guzzella L.1
1
CNR-IRSA, Water Research Institute, Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, MB, Italy
Tel: +39 039 216941; fax: +39 039 2004692, [email protected]
2
Department of Biology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
3
CNR- ISE, Institute of Ecosystem Study, Largo Tonolli 50, Verbania VB, Italy
Because of the reduction in the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and
hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), including
1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE),
hexabromobenzene (HBB), and pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), started to be marketed
as alternatives to the banned formulations. In this study, the spatial distribution and
accumulation of NBFRs, PBDEs, and HBCD in the biota have been investigated in the
littoral compartment of Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy), using zebra mussel and roach as
bioindicators. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the contamination of
NBFRs in the freshwater invertebrate zebra mussel. Contamination of zebra mussel due to
PBEB, HBB and BTBPE was low, ranging from 0.9 to 2.9 ng/g l.w., from 1.1 to 2.9 ng/g
l.w., and from 3.5 to 9.5 ng/g l.w. respectively. PBEB and BTBPE in roach were always
<LOD, while the contamination of HBB ranged from <LOD to 1.74 ng/g l.w., indicating a
weak contamination. DBDPE was <LOD in all the considered biological samples. Finally,
HBCD was detected in all organic tissues with mean concentrations up to 74.4 ng/g l.w.
PBDE results, supported by PCA elaboration, suggested a possible contamination due to
the congeners composing the Penta- and Deca-BDE technical formulations, which are
present in the Lake Maggiore basin. The biomagnification factor (BMF) values showed that
tetra- and penta-BDE biomagnified, while octa-, nona-, and deca-BDE were still
bioavailable and detectable in the fish muscles, but they do not biomagnified. Considering
the other BFRs, only HBCD showed a moderate biomagnification potential.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
27
Biosurfactant production by bacteria isolated from filter-feeding
organisms (Annelida:Polychaeta)
Rizzo C.1, Graziano M. 1, Michaud L. 1, De Domenico E. 1, Lo Giudice A. 1
1
Department of Animal Biology and Marine Ecology, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno
d’Alcontres, 31 – 98166 Messina, Italia. [email protected]
Three biosurfactant-producing isolates [i.e. Joostella sp. A8 (J), Alcanivorax sp. A53 (A)
and Pseudomonas sp. A6 (P), which were previously isolated from enrichment cultures
using polychaetes homogenates)] were inoculated in a mineral medium added with diesel
oil for 21 days. Experiments were carried out in both microcosm of individual isolates and
consortia (by inoculating J with P or A; consortia J-P and J-A, respectively). Bacterial
abundance (by fluorescent in situ hybridization, FISH), biodegradation efficiency (by gaschromatographic analysis) and biosurfactant production in microcosms and co-cultures
were monitored. Microcosm assays revealed a decreasing growth rate of the isolates in
the order P>A>J. Joostella sp. A8 resulted the most promising isolate as it was able to
produce the highest stable emulsion (E24) percentage and hydrofobicity rate (78.33 and
62.67%, respectively,), in addition to a surface tension reduction of 33.43 mN/m.
In both consortia isolates achieved similar abundance values. Stable emulsions and
hydrofobicity rates had a fluctuant pattern, with the best efficiency that was showed by the
J-P consortia. Gas-chromatographic analysis revealed a biodegradation efficiency of
52.75%, 38.22%, 26.83% from A, P and J, respectively, when individually inoculated. Such
values increased in consortium experiment achieving percentages of 99.39 e 99.17% in JA and J-P, respectively.
Results were useful to compare the efficiencies of well-known biosurfactant producers,
such as Pseudomonas spp. and Alcanivorax spp., with respect to a still unknown
biosurfactant producer, i.e. Joostella spp. Moreover, the investigations carried out on
consortia put on evidence that biodegradation efficiency was improved by the
contemporary action of different bacterial species.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
28
POSTER
Sessione 1
Biodiversità Stabilità e Funzionamento Ecosistemico
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
29
Using food web metrics as descriptors to evaluate variation of trophic
organization at spatial and temporal scales
Andolina C.1,2, Franzoi, P.1, Vizzini S.2
1
Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
+39 3883659542, [email protected]
2
Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
To deepen the understanding of potential consequences of the environmental change on
ecosystems is one of the most important challenges ecologists are currently facing.
Interactions between species represent the basic structure on which ecological
communities are based: among these, trophic interactions are useful tools to investigate
the degree of complexity of the systems. The aim of this project is to characterize the
trophic structure of coastal marine ecosystems, with the purpose to detect its variations at
spatial and temporal scale and to assess its potential role as indicator of environmental
change. In order to evaluate the contribution provided by different habitats to the trophic
organization of fish populations and communities and to the width of their ecological niche,
we will test food web metrics at different spatial and temporal levels, by examining 1. the
trophic niche of an estuarine resident fish, Aphanius fasciatus, in different habitats (salt
marsh, unvegetated mudflat, seagrass beds and salt evaporation pond) at inter and intra
system level (in Stagnone di Marsala and Venice lagoon); 2. the diet of a migratory
species, Sparus aurata, whose different life stages occur in different habitats within and
outside the Venice lagoon; 3. the trophic structure of a lagoon area under seagrass
restoration process. We expect from this study to obtain important information on lagoon
trophic functioning and on selection of appropriate food web descriptors as indicators of
environmental conditions also in the light of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
30
The role of offshore mussel culture farms in relation to the structure
and function of the adriatic coastal ecosystem
Colla S. 1
1
CEMAS, Center for estuarine and coastal marine sciences, dipartimento scienze ambientali, informatica e
statistica, Università Ca’ Foscari, castello 2737/b – 30120 Venezia – Italia. [email protected]
At present time, offshore mussel culture farms (MCFs) can be considered as one of the
major driver affecting both the structure and functioning of the coastal area ecosystem in
the Northern Adriatic Sea.
The research project will focus on the MCFs, which can be considered as a sort of
‘mesocosms’, summarizing all the climatic, ecological and socio-economic processes
going on in this area and allowing us to study them in a conceptually limited condition,
although spatial differences will be accounted. MCFs represent also one of the drivers
affecting both the structure and functioning of the coastal area in the Northern Adriatic
Sea, having important biogeochemical, biological, ecological and socio-economic effects.
The goal is to assess the potential role of MCFs in determining the functioning of the
coastal ecosystem, also in relation of possible effects on ecological status and goods and
services. MCFs could represent a “worked” example that could be extremely useful in
relation to the MSFD implementation and definition of ecological status indicators. In fact,
at present, MSFD indicators are still under development and their capability to provide
information about ecosystem functioning is still under study, thus the project will contribute
to these developments. Moreover, this could contribute to the definition of management
objectives, identifying the self-sustaining processes to be maintained or restored, in order
to increase the system resilience and stimulate an adaptive management. The activity will
be focused on the nektonic and benthic compartment, aiming to investigate the role played
by mussels in contributing to the energy flows.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
31
New antimicrobial compounds produced by sponge-associated bacteria
against opportunistic pathogens
Conte A.1, Papale M.1, Rappazzo A.C.1, Fani R.2, De Domenico E1., Lo Giudice A.1
1
2
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina.
Department of Biology, University of Florence.
The present research aims at finding new antimicrobial compounds against opportunistic
pathogens (such as those involved in the cystic fibrosis) by bacteria isolated from Antarctic
sponges. Sponge specimens were collected at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) during the
XXIX Italian Expedition to Antarctica (Austral Summer 2013-2014). The internal tissue of
sponges was homogenized and serially diluted before plating on marine agar plates.
Bacterial strains will be isolated from agar plates and then tested by the cross-streak
method against different pathogenic bacteria (targets) and between themselves. Active
isolates will be phylogenetically characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and tested
by the double plate method to evaluate the production of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). Thin layer chromatography will be applied to preliminarily characterize the
antimicrobial compounds by using different standards, and the eventual VOCs will be
analyzed by GC-MS. Moreover, active isolates will be physiologically characterized by
testing their growth under different conditions (e.g. temperature, pH, carbon source) and
the possible production of secondary metabolites will be investigated. Finally,
bioinformatics analysis will be used to explore the genetic pathway that may be involved in
the production of molecules with antibacterial activity.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
32
Phytoplankton distribution in lagoon ecosystems at different spatial
scale
Durante G.1, Roselli L.1, Stanca E.1, Basset A.1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, SP LecceMonteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy. Tel.: +39 0832 298889; [email protected]
Phytoplankton is a very diverse and widely distributed group of solitary or colonial
organisms, playing a crucial role in all aquatic environments since they are the foundation
of aquatic food webs. Understanding the dynamics of phytoplankton populations and the
mechanisms of coexistence of different species, living in environments with a limited
amount of resources and sharing same requirements, has challenged phytoplankton
community ecologists from 1961. Geographical variations in environmental factors,
affecting phytoplankton species coexistence at local scale, are responsible of species
diversity at global scale. An important goal to understand the mechanisms that structure
phytoplankton communities is to describe the spatial distribution patterns of organisms
from local to global scale. Taxonomic composition and numerical abundance are two
major components of every community, giving descriptive information on the organization
of microalgae assemblages. A hierarchical sampling design was used to investigate
variations in phytoplankton richness and composition in lagoon ecosystems at different
spatial scale. The principal results are the following: taxonomic composition varies among
ecosystems and geographic areas; however, even if everything is not everywhere, the
overall taxa richness at different spatial scale, generally, does not show strong variations.
These results suggest that: 1. the diversity of phytoplankton species at different spatial
scale could be driven by environmental factors, acting as a filter, which selects the
diversity from a common species pool and 2. the capacity of a system to support a number
of species is more or less unvarying in lagoon ecosystems.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
33
How aquatic organisms cross the “dry ocean” and disperse between
ponds?
Incagnone G.1
1
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche – Sezione di Botanica ed
Ecologia Vegetale - Università di Palermo - [email protected]
Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs) are shallow water bodies characterized by the
alternation of flooded and dry phases; this hydrological trait reflects the semi-arid climatic
conditions of Mediterranean area. The dry period is an extreme ecological condition for
aquatic organisms and, their biological communities have developed exclusive adaptations
to survive. Actually, temporary pools support a high biodiversity. In spite of Habitats
Directive 92/43/EEC, MTPs are threatened by human impacts and they are disappearing
at a very fast rate This trend strengthen their geographical isolation, and may enhance the
local extinction of species. The populations inhabiting MTPs are actually small, isolated
and highly fluctuating in numbers. When the water temperature increases, these aquatic
organisms generally produce drought-resistant structures (e.g. seeds, oospores, cysts)
which can be dispersed by wind, birds, mammals. Dispersion and colonization are the
mechanisms through which the conservation of a gene flow among populations occurs,
thus contributing to biodiversity preservation. The aim of my research work is to investigate
the mechanisms through which the different organisms (e.g. phyto- and zooplankton,
macroinvertebrates, macrophytes) spread, in order to give a contribution to the protection
of these peculiar environments.
In the first year an exhaustive literature search will be carried out to review the status of
the art of the knowledge on dispersal and colonization. Then, a few target species (e.g.
Isoetes velata, Hemidiaptomus sp., Chara sp. and a few common airborne algae) will be
selected and their dispersal abilities and distribution patterns as well as their
phylogeography will be comparatively studied.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
34
Influence of inter-specific horizontal interactions and biodiversity on the
plant detritus decomposition: an experiment in laboratory mesocosms
Mazzotta L.1, Gjoni V.1, Marini G.1, Basset A.1, Pinna M.1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Ecology Unit
University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy. Tel.: +39 3209771586, [email protected]
Studying the relationship between structures and functions in natural ecosystems is one of
the most relevant ecological topics. In the last decades has been paid attention to how the
mechanisms of community organization and coexistence between species can influence
the ecosystem functioning. In the formulation of the niche theory, the competitive relations
and coexistence are measured in terms of overlap in the use of limiting resources.
Fundamental theories emphasize the role of biodiversity and body-size in the community
organization and in the mechanisms of resource partitioning among individuals, population
and species (e.g., niche theory, lottery competitive, body-size theory, metabolic theory). In
this research we analyzed: i. the role of benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity on the
functional process of plant detritus decomposition comparing experimental conditions
without benthic macroinvertebrates (control), mono-specific bi-specific and three-specific
conditions; ii. the role of benthic macroinvertebrate inter-specific competition on the
functional process of plant detritus decomposition comparing bi-specific conditions
characterized by different body-size ratio between species. The experiment was
conducted by varying the temperature conditions, in order to correlate the process of plant
detritus decomposition, biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and different
environmental conditions.
Four species Lymnaea truncatula (Muller), Physa acuta (Draparnaud), Gammarus
aequicauda (Martynov), Proasellus coxalis (Dollfus), collected in a slightly aquatic habitat,
were used in mono-specific and in six bi-specific experimental conditions to obtain a
gradient of increasing biodiversity and competitive pressures due to body-size overlapping.
The experimental design and the results will be reported in detail in the poster.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
35
Study of the trophic and functional organization of fish assemblages in
submarine shallow CO2 vents
Mirasole A.1, Vizzini S.¹
1
S Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo
(ITALY) tel.: +39.091.23862877- fax: +39.091.6100278 [email protected]
Naturally acidified marine ecosystems are currently investigated to evaluate the effects of
ocean acidification on species, communities and ecological processes. Among these,
submarine shallow CO2 vents represent a sort of natural mesocosms, where at small
spatial scales marked gradient of pH are present. The aim of this project is to study the
responses of fish assemblages to pH reduction in Mediterranean shallow CO2 vents by
using several descriptors such as community structure, trophic organization, chemical
characteristics and composition of carbonic structures. Moreover as in CO2 vents
concentration and bio-availability of several trace elements, also toxic ones, may increase
due to direct input from the vents and/or to peculiar pH and Eh conditions, another aim is
the evaluation of trace element bioaccumulation and biomagnification. As scant
information is available in the literature on this topic, the results of this research will
contribute to bridge the gap to predict the ecological effects of ocean acidification on
fishes, a key biological component whose monitoring is relevant not only from the
ecological standpoint but also for the economic one and for the implications on human
health.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
36
Spatial and temporal variation in foraging behavior of New Zealand fur
seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) using archival tissues
Noè S.1, Willis T. J.2, McGill R. A. R.3
1
Laboratorio di Ecologia Marina, Dip.to di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università di Palermo,
Italy, email: [email protected], Tel.: 320-9787935
2
School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK
3
NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre,
University of Glasgow, UK
Spatial and temporal variation in foraging strategies of New Zealand fur seals
(Arctocephalus forsteri) were investigated from three colonies (Kaikoura: South Island east
coast, Tasman Bay: South Island north coast, and Cape Foulwind: South Island west
coast) between December 2010 and June 2012, using the analysis of stable isotope ratios
of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15N) of sampled whiskers. We used the isotopic values
of basal elements (1 mm sections cut close to the skin) of the facial vibrissae to identify
intra- and inter- colony variation in fur seal trophic level. We describe the range in isotope
values in foraging lactating females, and differences among colonies that are likely to be a
consequence of differences in locally available marine resources. The trophic level of
mature female seals is similar to that of carnivorous reef-associated fishes, supporting diet
analyses from scats that indicate diet to be primarily arrow squid (Notodarus sloanii) and
small schooling fishes. There was no evidence that females compete with fishers for
commercially exploited species: the mean value of δ15N was 14.10- 16.84 ‰ (equivalent to
predatory reef fishes). There was some isotopic evidence of geographic separation of
colonies (mean δ13C for Kaikoura = -15.6, Cape Foulwind = -16.3, Tonga Is = -16.7)
indicating that females have limited foraging ranges and that there is limited interchange of
individuals among colonies. At Cape Foulwind, δ15N values varied significantly between
seasons, with a January (summer) mean of 16.03 ‰ ± 0.11 (SE), and June (winter) mean
of 15.09 ‰ ± 0.17 (SE). Differences in trophic level between males, females and pups at
Kaikoura were found, with suckling pups having δ15N values considerably higher (2.35 ‰)
than females, reflecting pup’s consumption of maternal milk.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
37
Polychlorinated biphenyl degrading bacteria from polar environments
Papale M. 1, Conte A. 1, Rappazzo A. C. 1, De Domenico E. 1, Lo Giudice A.1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina
This research is aimed at finding bacterial strains able to degrade persistent pollutants
such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with a focus on the metabolic pathways
underlying the process. Samples of water and sediment were collected from four different
polar sites: 1) Byers Peninsula (Antarctica), 2) Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica) 3) High Arctic
(Svalbard Islands) and 4) Norwegian Arctic. Antarctic and Arctic bacteria were preliminarily
screened for their ability to use PCBs as the sole carbon and energy source at both 4 and
15°C. Results from the screening showed that the 4% of strains were able to grow in the
presence of PCBs at almost one temperature tested. Selected strains will be identified by
16S rRNA gene sequencing and their biodegradation potential will be evaluated by gas
chromatographic analysis under different conditions (e.g. temperature, salinity, pH). The
occurrence of functional genes for PCB biodegradation, in particular the gene bphA, will be
determined. Finally, natural samples (i.e. water and sediment) will be also analyzed for
PCB concentration and functional gene occurrence.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
38
Functional and molecular diversity of the bacterial community
associated to the invasive green alga caulerpa racemosa
(chlorophyta, caulerpaceae)
Rizzo L.1, Stabili L.1,2,3, Alifano P.1, Fraschetti S.1
1
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Via Prov.le Lecce
Monteroni, Lecce. [email protected]
2
Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia.
3
Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero, U.O.S. di Taranto, CNR, Via Roma 3, Taranto.
Over 900 species have been reported as non-indigenous species in the Black and
Mediterranean Seas. Among them the green alga Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskal) J.
Agardh is an invasive species driving critical changes in Mediterranean native benthic
habitats. In the present study a survey was undertaken in three sampling sites of Apulia
(Italy, Mediterranean Sea) to analyse and compare the bacterial community profiles
associated to the surface of C. racemosa. We used the Biolog system-Ecoplates™
(Biolog, Hayward, CA, USA) and polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation
polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) to analyse the functional and phylogenetic diversity of the
algal associated bacterial assemblages. Culturable heterotrophic bacteria at 22 °C showed
a mean value of 2.4 x 105 CFU mL-1 at Torre Guaceto (Italy), 2.2 x 105 CFU mL-1 at
Otranto (Italy), 1.4 x 105 CFU mL-1 at Porto Cesareo (Italy). The analysis of the metabolic
profiles revealed a similar metabolic diversity in the C. racemosa inocula, containing 18
communal carbon sources consumed in up to 72 h of incubation. The Ez-Taxon analysis
of the DNA sequences of SSCP mutual bands demonstrated that there is a distinct group
of bacteria (i.e. the genera Shewanella, Marinobacter, Vibrio, Granulosicoccus, unknown
Bacteroidetes and unknown Rhodobacteraceae) consistently present on C. racemosa. Our
results show that C. racemosa surface might host a specific bacterial community, possibly
playing a crucial role for the algal spreading.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
39
Sessione 2
Eco-biologia dei sistemi acquatici
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
40
Molecular biomarkers development and genotoxicity study in talitrus
saltator (crustacea, amphipoda) in the evaluation of coastal ecosystems
quality
Di Donato G.1, Ronci L.1, Setini A.1, De Matthaeis E.1
1
University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Viale
dell'Università 32, 00185 Rome.
This research program involves investigations at different levels: ecological,
ecotoxicological and molecular about biotic effects, associated with different types of
environmetnal perturbations in sandy beaches. The aim of this study is to provide
innovative indicators of environmental stressors, particularly, to highlight the impact of
rivers on these ecosystems, in areas close to their mouths. A large number of toxic
substances are introduced into marine environment by industrial, agricultural and other
anthropogenic activities. In the last decades, the increasing contamination of water bodies,
especially in coastal areas has required a deeper knowledge of the environment diffusion
of these substances.
Environmental quality of sandy beach ecosystems is strongly influenced by chemical
property of coastal waters, determined in large part by the release of toxic substances
through rivers. The complex nature of coastal environments has led, over time, to the
development of ecosystems characterized by specialized and highly adapted communities
exclusively present in these habitats. Talitrid amphipods constitute the main animal
biomass in sandy beach ecosystems and play an important role in the energy flow among
different trophic levels.
The destruction of natural habitats by rapidly expanding of human populations often brings
to a simplification of the diversity of these habitats. Hence, is prioritary understood the
answers of these communities to chemical stress and develop appropriate programs to
preserve beach systems. At this purpose, monitoring programs based on biological
indicators aims to establish a link between the presence of chemical compounds and their
effects on biota.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
41
Sessione 3
Ecotossicologia ed Ecologia Microbica
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
42
Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic reconstruction of the Pleistocene
– Holocene through the study of planktonic foraminifera of two
sediment cores, collected in the Atlantic Ocean, southwestward of the
Azores Islands (OCEANOGRAFLU Geological survey, June 2013)
Bonfardeci A. 1
1
Earth and Marine Science, University of Palermo. +39 3294790636, [email protected]
The study of climate and oceanographic setting in the recent past plays and important role
to prevent what we can expect for the future. This research project is based on the study
of two sedimentary cores (ATA13-OF-KT1 and ATA13-OF-KT18), collected during
OCEANOGRAFLU 2013 oceanographic survey in Atlantic Ocean, southwestward of the
Azores Islands, near the Mid-Atlantic ridge. In agreement with members of
Paleobiodiversity and Paleoenvironmental Research Center belonging to the Department
of Earth History (MNHN) of Paris, I’ll have to study these two cores, under the supervision
of Prof. Annachiara Bartolini, member of this research unit, and Prof. Antonio Caruso
(DiSTeM, University of Palermo). This research project is based on the analysis of
percentages of abundance of planktonic foraminiferal assemblages, contained in these
sedimentary cores. The aim is to establish the combined effects of climatic changes and
ridge activity on planktonic foraminiferal assemblages, during the Upper Pleistocene –
Holocene. These two cores will be sliced every cm and the obtained samples will be
analyzed in order to recognize the composition of planktonic foraminiferal assemblages
and to estimate the fluctuation in abundance of each species, by counting of 300
specimens for sample.
Furthermore geochemical analysis will be performed, regarding:
• Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca calcite ratios of foraminiferal shells;
• Isotopic composition of foraminiferal shells, regarding δ18O and δ13C;
• Radiometric dating (14C) to define a correct “age-model”.
All these data will be correlated to carry out a paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic
reconstruction and in order to obtain an “event stratigraphy” of this sector of the Atlantic
Ocean, during the Upper Pleistocene – Holocene.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
43
Toxin-producing cyanobacteria in the large lakes south of the Alps:
detection of new producers and molecular identification methods
Capelli C.1,2, Shams S1,3., Cerasino L.1, Cavalieri D.1, Papini A.2, Salmaso N.1
1
Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige,
Italy. Tel.: +39 0461 615548; E-mail address: [email protected]
2
Department of Biology, Universita` di Firenze, Via La Pira, 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
3
Human and Environmental Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, P.O. Box X918, D-78457, Konstanz, Germany
Cyanobacteria produce a huge variety of secondary toxic metabolites that can cause
serious health problems in humans and animals. Cyanotoxins include hepatotoxins (e.g.,
microcystins, MCs), neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a, ATX) and endotoxins. The general aim
of the project is to identify, at the species and strain level, cyanobacteria producing toxins,
especially anatoxins, in Lake Garda and in the other large and deep lakes south of the
Alps.
The dominant cyanobacteria in these lakes are represented by Planktothrix rubescens,
which is responsible of the production of MCs. Nevertheless, in the last two decades there
was a rapid spread of an invasive species, Dolichospermum lemmermannii, which is able
to synthesize both MCs and neurotoxins (ATX). This appearance raised questions linked
to the potential production of new toxins. Recent research showed significant
concentrations of ATX, which, most of the time, were not matched by the presence of
sizeable populations of D. lemmermannii, posing problems about the identification of the
toxin producers. This emerging risk makes necessary to analyse in detail the causes of
ATX production. First we will evaluate toxin concentrations and the dominant toxic
cyanobacteria in environmental samples. Secondly we will use metagenomics to study the
complexity of the cyanobacterial communities. Hereafter, using a molecular approach,
based on high throughput DNA and mRNA sequencing we will detect the presence of ATX
encoding genes, both in whole environmental samples and isolated strains. In this last we
will even investigate the cell ultrastructure to get further data about the ATX production
mechanisms. This multidisciplinary approach will allow to identify potential new anatoxin
producers and different toxin encoding genes, as well as to unravel the community
structure and the ecological determinants triggering anatoxin production.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
44
CO2 effects on behaviour and reproduction of nesting fish species
Cattano C. 1
1
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 28 – 90123
Palermo, Italy. [email protected]
Ocean acidification is a global phenomenon linked to the CO2 absorption by the surface of
the sea. This increasing process leads to a rise of the CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) that
changes the seawater chemistry. It is know that such changes have negative
consequences for many marine organisms. However, the effects of acidification on fishes
are yet poorly understood. Fishes have been hypothesized to be more physiologically
tolerant to elevated CO2. Nevertheless, many researches have described severe effects of
altered pCO2 levels on fish behaviour, especially during early life history stages, and only
few authors have focused on fish reproduction. The aim of my Ph.D. research is to
investigate the effects of different pCO2 levels on the reproduction of nesting fish species,
with particular emphasis on reproductive behaviour and reproductive success, and on
early life stages development. This research will be conducted in the Vulcano Island coast
where a natural gradient of pH and CO2 exists, due to underwater volcanic emissions
dominated by CO2. Preliminary observations on fish community composition in this place
have shown different distribution patterns of the species along the pCO2 gradient. In
particular, some species belonging to genus Symphodus display the same distribution
pattern in high pCO2 levels (= ca. 1100 µatm) and in normal pCO2 levels (= ca. 400 µatm).
The males of these species build elaborate nests in which several females spawn, and
they could be more sensitive to the acidification effects due to territorial habits shown
during their reproductive period.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
45
Cross-community scaling of benthic macroinvertebrate guilds in
freshwaters of Southern Italy
Gjoni V. 1, Mazzotta L.1 , Marini G.1 , Pinna M.1 , Basset A. 1
1
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, SP
Lecce-Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy. [email protected]
The most fundamental property of an organism is the body size because it is related to
many biological traits, as well as to population abundance and community level
characteristics. Many studies have focused on the relationships between abundance and
body size in an attempt to quantify the form of these relationships and to understand the
processes and mechanisms underlying them. One way to address the relationship
between individual body size and abundance at the community level is represented by the
cross-community scaling relationship (CCSR), i.e., the relationship between overall density
and average individual body size at the community level.
In general, CCSRs tend to be well described by power laws where the exponent b tends to
be similar to the inverse of the scaling exponent of metabolic rates (b= -0.75). In other
words, power law CCSRs are expected to result simply from basic energy balance
arguments such as zero-sum competition for limiting resources or space.
Field experiments on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate guilds of Southern Italy
(Sardinian rivers) were designed to test the cross-community scaling relationship
relevance of body size-related constraints on the organization of detritus-based benthic
guilds through the relationship between the average size of an individual in an assemblage
and the total community density. The first results are going to be presented in the poster.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
46
Investigations into the ecosystem service value of intertidal
bioconstructions in the context of coastal erosion and rock breakdown
La Marca E. C.1
1
Department of Earth and Sea Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 28, 90123 – Palermo. Tel. +39
091 23862864; email: [email protected]
Coastal environment is characterized by the presence of some of the most productive and
valued habitats in the world. The lack of knowledge about the ecosystem service provided
by these habitats is a limit to the application of the principles of environmental
management. The purpose of this research project is to study the ecosystem services
supported by coastal bio-constructions, specifically vermetid reefs and mussel beds,
against the deterioration of rocky coast.
The main hypothesis is that the presence of vermetid reefs and mussel beds partially
isolates the underlying rocks from erosive agents and protects them from breakdown
processes.
The questions which this research aims to answer are:
1) Is it possible to assign a “bio-protective role” to the organisms involved in coastal bioconstructions?
2) If so, what is the value of the ecosystem service provided by vermetid reefs and mussel
beds against rock deterioration?
3) Could these species be used such as mechanisms of defense against coastline
erosion? If so, how can we encourage their colonization and growth?
In order to elucidate the “bioprotective” role of vermetids and mussels and to establish
their influence on weathering and erosion processes, the research will carry out controlled
laboratory experiments and field monitoring and sampling. Shedding light on these three
points would be of relevance in the evaluation of eco-sustainable choices to protect the
coastline from deterioration and recession, and, at the same time, it would improve the
management and conservation of the considered habitats, as suggested by the
international politics of environmental sustainability.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
47
Coccolithophore calcification response to ocean acidification: Vulcano
Island, southern Italy as a natural laboratory
Napoli S.1
1
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università degli Studi di Palermo, via Archirafi 22/28, 90123
Palermo, Italy. Tel: 3356012610, E-mail: [email protected]
More than a third of CO2, produced by human activity and emitted into the atmosphere, is
absorbed by the oceans. The main consequence of this phenomenon is the seawater pH
lowering that may affect both biotic and abiotic processes. Ocean acidification modifies
carbonate chemistry and changes community structure and biodiversity. So far most of
investigations deal with benthic organisms that exhibit reduced or abnormal calcification, in
response to elevated concentration of CO2. Only a few culture experiments have been
carried out to study planktonic calcifier groups. The aim of this PhD project is the study of
coccolithophores collected at Levante Bay (Vulcano Island, southern Italy), where an
intense CO2 emission is due to volcanic vents. This area represents an important natural
laboratory to study planktonic assemblage variations across gradients that parallel the
projected pH decrease in the near future. Living coccolithophores will seasonally be
sampled and examined in terms of cell concentration, species diversity, coccoliths
malformation and dissolution. Results will be compared to seawater physical and chemical
properties, among others pH and total alkalinity. In addition, analysis on trace elements will
be carried out in order to assess the possible influence of toxic metals on calcification
processes.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
48
TROPTUNA: Global population structure and maternal effect in bigeye
tuna (Thunnus albacore)
Pecoraro C.1,2,Cariani A.1, Bodin N.2, Chassot E.2, Zudaire I.2, Tinti F.1
1
Università di Bologna
Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)
2
Tropical tunas (TT) account for the greatest part of world tuna catches but their stock
biomass declined ca. 60% from 1954 to 2006, increasing the risk of ecological/economic
extinctions. Nowadays the population structure of these species is still poorly understood
and they have been considered to be highly mobile and consist of a single panmictic
spawning population for the purposes of stock assessment and management. My research
project “TROPTUNA” was born from the scientific collaboration between the University of
Bologna (Prof. Fausto Tinti) and the French Research Institute for the Development (IRD).
The TROPTUNA project intend to analyze the genomic variation across Thunnus obesus
(BET) populations worldwide, through an advanced population genomic approach based
on the Next Generation Sequencing technologies. In order to reveal population and stock
structure and to improve the general understanding of ecological and evolutionary
responses of BET stocks to environmental changes and to fisheries. According to previous
studies that indicated the presence of at least two different Clades in Atlantic and Indian
oceans, the second main objective of TROPTUNA is to point out the reproductive
dynamics related to the energy allocation in BET spawning females of CE Atlantic and CW
Indian populations, addressing the maternal effect hypothesis for BET. In fact despite the
recognition of the importance of accounting for maternal effect into fisheries management,
no study has been conducted until now to identify and quantify maternal effect for TT in
order to evaluate the effects of size-selective catches on the sustainability of their stocks.
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
49
INDICE ALFABETICO DEI PRIMI AUTORI
Andolina C.
Using food web metrics as descriptors to evaluate variation of
trophic organization at spatial and temporal scales
30
Azzella M.M.
Influence of water transparency and lake morphology on the
distribution of macrophytes along the depth gradient
16
Bonfardeci A.
Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic reconstruction of the
Pleistocene – Holocene through the study of planktonic
foraminifera of two sediment cores, collected in the Atlantic
Ocean, southwestward of the Azores Islands (OCEANOGRAFLU
Geological survey, June 2013)
43
Canepa S.
Application of innovative methods to evaluate the ecotoxicity of
Diethylene glycol
23
Capelli C.
Toxin-producing cyanobacteria in the large lakes south of the
Alps: detection of new producers and molecular identification
methods
44
Carrozzo L.
Infection of native crab species and of the invasive Callinectes
sapidus by the dynoflagellate Hematodinium spp. in two
Mediterranean coastal habitats
17
Cattano C.
CO2 effects on behaviour and reproduction of nesting fish species
45
Colla S.
The role of offshore mussel culture farms in relation to the
structure and function of the adriatic coastal ecosystem
31
Conese I.
Impacts of dense shelf water cascading in the southern Adriatic
Sea: an integrated approach to evaluate small-scale variability on
the benthic compartment
18
Conte A.
New antimicrobial compounds produced by sponge-associated
bacteria against opportunistic pathogens
32
D'Alessandro M.
Study of the macrozoobenthic community within the Grand
Harbour, Valletta, Malta
9
Di Donato G.
Molecular biomarkers development and genotoxicity study in
talitrus saltator (crustacea, amphipoda) in the evaluation of
coastal ecosystems quality
41
Durante G.
Phytoplankton distribution in lagoon ecosystems at different
spatial scale
33
Fornaroli R.
Quantile regression analysis
macroinvertebrate biodiversity
10
as
predictive
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
for
lake
50
Giussani V.
Insights on the toxic effect of Ostreopsis cf. ovata: the role of
direct/indirect contact with microalgal cells
24
Gjoni V.
Cross-community scaling of benthic macroinvertebrate guilds in
freshwaters of Southern Italy
46
Incagnone G.
How aquatic organisms cross the “dry ocean” and disperse
between ponds?
34
Ingrosso G.
Relationship between seasonal variation of carbonate system and
coccolithophores in the gulf of Trieste
19
Innangi S.
MultiBeam EchoSounder (MBES) backscatter signal analysis in
marine environment: Applications to study 3D pelagic fish
resources
20
La Marca E.C.
Investigations into the ecosystem service value of intertidal
bioconstructions in the context of coastal erosion and rock
breakdown
47
Mangano M.C.
Effects of chronic bottom trawling disturbance on benthic
communities in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea
11
Marazzi F.
Growth of microalgal biomass on supernatant from biosolids
dewatering
25
Mazzotta L.
Influence of inter-specific horizontal interactions and biodiversity
on the plant detritus decomposition: an experiment in laboratory
mesocosms
35
Milan M.
Environmental drivers for the secular evolution of Lake Garda as
outlined by paleolimnological reconstructions
21
Mirasole A.
Study of the trophic and functional organization of fish
assemblages in submarine shallow CO₂ vents
36
Morgana S.
Development of new biosensing techniques to monitor marine
pollution
26
Napoli S.
Coccolithophore calcification response to ocean acidification:
Vulcano Island, southern Italy as a natural laboratory
48
Nasi F.
Response of macrozoobenthos to synergistic
contaminants in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto
of
12
Noè S.
Spatial and temporal variation in foraging behavior of New
Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) using archival tissues
37
Papale M.
Polychlorinated
environments
38
biphenyl
degrading
bacteria
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
effect
from
polar
51
Pecoraro C.
TROPTUNA: Global population structure and maternal effect in
bigeye tuna (Thunnus albacore)
49
Poma G.
Evaluation of spatial distribution and accumulation of novel
brominated flame retardants, HBCD and PBDES in an Italian subalpine lake using zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
27
Rizzo C.
Biosurfactant production by bacteria isolated from filter-feeding
organisms (Annelida:Polychaeta)
28
Rizzo L.
Functional and molecular diversity of the bacterial community
associated to the invasive green alga caulerpa racemosa
(chlorophyta, caulerpaceae)
39
Rogelja M.
Benthic microalgal community composition and trophic status of
sediments in the port of Trieste
13
Visani I.
A municipality, an ecosystem
14
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
52
COMITATO ORGANIZZATORE
Mattia M. Azzella
La Sapienza, Università di Roma
Edoardo Calizza
La Sapienza, Univesità di Roma
Camilla Capelli
Fondazione E. Mach, Istituto Agrario di S. Michele all'Adige
Dipartimento di Biologia - Università di Firenze
Giulia Incagnone
Università di Palermo
Manuela Milan
Fondazione E. Mach, Istituto Agrario di S. Michele all'Adige
Dipartimento di Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali - Università di Umeå (Svezia)
Sajid Pareeth
Fondazione E. Mach, Istituto Agrario di S. Michele all'Adige
Immagini di Andrea Cattani
X Incontro dei dottorandi in Ecologia e Scienze Ambientali,
Università di Palermo, 07 – 10 Aprile 2014
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elenco ammessi corso Op.Em. - Croce Rossa Italiana

Clicca qui - Fials 118 Sicilia

Programma seminario - Ordine Ingegneri Agrigento

FORUM Malattie rare in Sicilia

GIUSEPPE POLIZZOTTO

23. ateneonews n. 20 - Università di Palermo

(Microsoft PowerPoint - 02b - Biomi.ppt [modalit\340

Preview - Magnolia Press

A new species of Hemidactylus from Lake Turkana

THE RECENT SPREAD OF THE INVASIVE WOODY ALIEN PLANT

RIASSUNTI DEI CONTRIBUTI ORALI ABSTRACT