MORENO , Mariapaola

The concentration of a large spectrum of environmental contaminants (PCBs, PAHs, pesticides and metals) was assessed in surface sediments of two Ligurian harbours (Sanremo and Alassio, NW Mediterranean Sea, Italy) and their relative impact on micro–meiobenthic assemblages was analysed. Concentration, distribution and relative importance of the...

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Quantitative and qualitative changes in meiofauna community structure were investigated to assess the impact of a fish farm, which was operating continuously for 15 years (La Spezia Gulf, W Mediterranean). Sediment samples were collected in June, July, September, October 2000 and February 2001 for the analysis of phytopigments (chlorophyll-a...

Environmental pollution in harbours can have detrimental effects on the port, its users, and the surrounding environment. Despite these risks, the Italian legal framework for marine environmental quality does not apply to harbours and marinas, so monitoring is not mandatory. With the aim of supporting environmentally sound management, we...

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A variety of pelagic and benthic parameters were measured at an aquaculture farm used for the fattening of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) which is located at an exposed site (700 m from the coast, average bottom depth of 45 m and average current speed of 6 cm s1) in the Mediterranean Sea. The objective was to test whether modern...

We assessed several meiofaunal indices in sediments of three Mediterranean harbours differing in environmental contamination to evaluate their usefulness as indicators of pollution and to identify those that best described environmental quality. In general, indicators based on meiofaunal taxa demonstrated a significant correlation with the...

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The use of nematodes as biological indicators of environmental quality was evaluated in sediments of the Mediterranean Sea. The Shannon-Diversity Index (H), the Maturity Index, the c-p%, the Index of Trophic Diversity (ITD) and the presence of sensitive/tolerant genera were applied at a Mediterranean scale to 12 different coastal sites and used...

We carried out a 16-month in situ study to investigate the ecology of Vibrio spp. and pathogenic Vibrio species in coastal sediments of the Mediterranean Sea, employing multiple-regression analysis to reveal the major environmental factors controlling their occurrence in the benthic environment. In addition, association between vibrios and...

The swash zone interstitial water (SZIW) which occupies interstices, or spaces between the sand grains at the shoreline is suspected of accumulating microbes and thus of posing a health risk for beach users. In this study we examined the presence and concentrations of filamentous fungi and yeasts in SZIW and compared the results to the fungal...

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) efficiency is the rate at which a PCR amplicon is generated. More efficient amplification of the DNA fragment (amplicon) will generate more products in fewer cycles, thus improving accuracy and sensitivity of quantitative PCR. The efficiency of Real-Time PCR to detect and quantify microbial cells was compared in...

The across shore variability and trophodynamics of meiofauna were studied in a microtidal beach of the Thyrrenian Sea (NW Mediterranean). Two sites were sampled at Collelungo beach (Maremma Park, Italy) subjected to different regimes of sediment erosion and deposition. At each site, four levels were sampled in November 2002 and May 2003 along a...

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The quantity and quality of organic matter, and bacterial density and frequency of dividing cells were investigated in six microtidal mixed beaches of the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) to evaluate their main trophodynamic features. Concentrations of biopolymeric carbon (average 88.5+89.0 mgC/g) and the protein:carbohydrate ratio (on average...

Significant spatial heterogeneity in the abundance and composition of meiofaunal and nematode assemblages was described inside the Genoa-Voltri harbour (Genoa, Italy) in relation to variation in the main environmental variables. In harbour sediments characterized by low Eh values and high organic matter concentrations, total meiofauna abundance...

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