Effect of iron and dissolved silica on primmorphs of Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret, 1789)

The suitability of the primmorphs system as a good model for biotechnological applications led researchers on primmorphs to look for a medium to stimulate cell proliferation and therefore growth of aggregates. Recent efforts have focused on the use of Fe⁺³ and Si that, supplemented to cell culture medium, were found to be promising for growth and morphogenesis of the sponge Suberites domuncula. In this work, we analysed the effect of iron and dissolved silica on primmorphs of Petrosia ficiformis, by testing them at different concentrations in successive experiments. The purpose of these experiments was to test their effect on primmorphs and individuate their optimal concentration for this species. Our results suggest a negative effect of iron on primmorphs of P. ficiformis and a positive effect of silica on primmorphs size and spiculogenesis at a concentration of 120 μM.     

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the production and fate of Posidonia oceanica in a semi-enclosed shallow basin (Stagnone di Marsala, Western Sicily)

An integrated approach using hydrodynamic and transport numerical models, lepidochronology and stable isotope analysis was used to investigate how local hydrodynamic conditions influence the primary production and fate of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in a Mediterranean semi-enclosed marine system (Stagnone di Marsala). The water mass exchange aptitude of different sectors of the basin was analysed, and data collected were used to select two sectors (colonized by Posidonia oceanica showing the lowest and highest water exchange values) for biological analyses. According to the mean dispersal coefficient differences simulated by the hydrodynamic model, growth rate and primary production of P. oceanica differed between sectors, with average values lower in the central sector where water exchange is lower than in the southern sector. Although P. oceanica coverage and primary production were higher in the southern sector, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis suggests that the transfer of seagrass organic matter to higher trophic levels of the food web was higher in the central sector. The possibility of a link between hydrodynamism, production and fate of organic matter is proposed to explain the observed patterns.     

Recognition of water masses according to geochemical signatures in the Central Mediterranean sea: Y/Ho ratio and rare earth element behaviour

This study reports the results of geochemical investigations carried out in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) during the oceanographic cruise BANSIC 2000, focusing on the area around the Pantelleria Island. We evaluate the interface processes between dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter in the water columns on the basis of Y/Ho ratio and rare earth elements and yttrium distributions that are suitable to trace the occurrence of different water layers in Central Mediterranean Area. The main source of trace elements to the sea water system was recognized in the atmospheric fallout, while different scavenging mechanisms among Y and rare earth elements occur. Cation exchange at the dissolved phase-suspended media interface is driven by their external electronic configurations as monitored through the Y/Ho ratios, shape, and amplitude of the tetrad effects calculated along the water columns. The shape and amplitude of the tetrad effects in bottom waters suggest that the preferential Y scavenging from deep water layers depends on the hydrothermal activity in the seafloor. Here, Y is surface-complexed through the formation of inner-sphere complexes; Ho and other heavy rare earth elements are sorbed onto suspended particulate matter surfaces as weak outer-sphere complexes; these materials have a montmorillonite like nature; and preferential incorporation medium rare earth elements in crystal structures of biogenic carbonates is suggested by the relationship between the Eu anomaly and the nutrient contents of water masses.     

JMarinas: A simple tool for the environmentally sound management of small marinas

A novel index for the preliminary evaluation of the distribution of pollutants in the harbor environment (Small Marinas Pollution Risk) is proposed. An associated Environmental Decision Support System (JMarinas) has been developed which implements the Multiple Attribute Decision Making theory (MADM) and uses the harbor’s map as geographical support for computations. The MADM matrix is built considering various attributes of the marina and is calculated using both qualitative and quantitative data.     

Comparing the utility of image algebra operations for characterizing landscape changes: the case of the Mediterranean coast

The aim of this study is to compare various image algebra procedures for their efficiency in locating and identifying different types of landscape changes on the margin of a Mediterranean coastal plain, Cukurova, Turkey. Image differencing and ratioing were applied to the reflective bands of Landsat TM datasets acquired in 1984 and 2006. Normalized Difference Vegetation index (NDVI) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) differencing were also applied. The resulting images were tested for their capacity to detect nine change phenomena, which were a priori defined in a three-level classification scheme. These change phenomena included agricultural encroachment, sand dune afforestation, coastline changes and removal/expansion of reed beds. The percentage overall accuracies of different algebra products for each phenomenon were calculated and compared. The results showed that some of the changes such as sand dune afforestation and reed bed expansion were detected with accuracies varying between 85 and 97% by the majority of the algebra operations, while some other changes such as logging could only be detected by mid-infrared (MIR) ratioing. For optimizing change detection in similar coastal landscapes, underlying causes of these changes were discussed and the guidelines for selecting band and algebra operations were provided.     

Fishers’ knowledge detects ecological decay in the Mediterranean Sea

The Northern Adriatic Sea (NAS) is one of the most overexploited marine ecosystems in Europe. Given the gaps in scientific knowledge regarding the NAS, this study sought Fishers’ Ecological Knowledge (FEK) to determine NAS’ historical baselines for conservation. By interviewing 53 fishers in three ports of northern Italy, estimates of the catch rates of four commercial demersal species were generated over a 60-year period, and perceptions of target and non-target species’ diversity and benthic diversity were analysed in three groups of fishers (i.e. novices, experienced and veterans). Results showed a significant decline in perceived abundance of sole (Solea solea), common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis), and evidence was found of a Shifting Baseline Syndrome (SBS) among novices. Given FEK’s ability to complement scientific knowledge, fishers’ participation in marine management policies and intergenerational communication should be enhanced, to improve the status of marine ecosystems and hinder SBS.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01452-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

First monospecific bloom of the harmful raphidophyte Chattonella antiqua (Hada) Ono in Alexandria waters related to water quality and copepod grazing

The massive red tide bloom of Chattonella antiqua that occurred in Alexandria waters during late August/early September 2006 was monospecific, of very high density, and of wide spatial distribution, and was accompanied by mass fish and invertebrates mortalities. During the bloom, surface water temperature ranged between 26.5 and 28.5 °C and salinity between 23 and 27 psu. The bloom started under very high nitrate and ammonia levels; where the uptake of ammonia seemed to be faster than that of nitrate, and the bloom seemed to avoid the copepod grazing. Mass fish and invertebrates mortality was observed. Few cells of Heterosigma species have been reported for the first time in the Alexandria waters. Several environmental constraints (including physical factors), nutrient loading, copepod grazing and comparison with other data for C. antiqua blooms in Alexandria waters are also discussed.     

宁南山区退耕还林还草对土壤氮素组成及其转化酶活的影响

以宁夏南部山区柠条、山桃、苜蓿和长芒草这4种植被为研究对象,玉米(农地)为对照,测定土壤中7种氮素的含量及2种氮素转化相关酶的活性,通过冗余分析方法探究退耕还林还草对土壤氮素及其转化酶活的影响.结果表明:①与玉米地相比,长芒草地的颗粒有机氮,轻组分有机氮,微生物生物量氮和铵态氮分别增加35. 3%、83. 3%、64. 2%和110. 0%;苜蓿地的可溶性有机氮和铵态氮分别增加0. 7%和67. 5%;长芒草地的天冬酰胺酶和蛋白酶活性活性分别提高360%和144. 8%,说明退耕还草对氮素及其转化酶有一定促进作用;②山桃地的有机氮、轻组分有机氮、颗粒有机氮和可溶性有机氮分别比玉米地高3. 7%、133. 3%、70. 6%和28. 1%,柠条地的轻组分有机氮和山桃地的微生物生物量氮分别比玉米地高16. 7%和49. 6%,柠条地和山桃地的蛋白酶活性均高于玉米地,说明退耕还林对氮素及其转化酶同样有促进作用.③冗余分析(RDA)结果和环境因子解释率表明,土壤含水率,p H值和有机碳是影响宁南山区氮素分布与转化的关键因子.退耕还林还草改变了氮素相关转化酶的活性、对氮素组成有一定的促进作用,为黄土高原生态恢复和土壤质量管理提供了理论依据.     

Shark aggregation and tourism: opportunities and challenges of an emerging phenomenon

In the last few winters, shark communities have been aggregating near the Israeli Mediterranean coast, at a specific point, near Hadera power station. This unusual phenomenon has fascinated residents, visitors, kayakers, divers, and swimmers. We analyse the effects of this intense human interest on the sharks, using contingent behaviour, in Hadera and in Ashkelon, where sharks are present and there is available infrastructure for their observation. We also report on changes in shark behaviour due to change in tourism intensity. We find a change of about ILS 4.1 million annually for both sites but a larger individual consumer surplus in Hadera, where sharks are currently observable. Touristic intensity crosses the threshold level by about 12% and making the socio-equilibrium sustainable for both humans and sharks would have a social cost of ILS 0.157 million. This paper, which is based on the assessment of conservation values to marine and coastal tourists, raises a need for spatial planning in order to protect this endangered species.     

非木质林产品生产的投入要素及影响因素实证分析

在南方集体林区,非木质林产品资源成为农户增收的主要来源之一,但在农户非木质林产品经营中需要考虑投入要素的有效性以及生产资源如何合理配置问题。论文以临安市山核桃产业和仙居县杨梅产业为例,分别选取两个县(市)共167户林农2009年横截面数据为样本,在农户微观层面运用C-D生产函数,实证分析了投入要素及影响因素在非木质林产品生产中的作用。结果表明,农药化肥投入、地域因素都对两个地区非木质林产品生产有显著影响,而劳动力投入和林业劳动力人均种植面积因素则只对山核桃生产有显著影响。笔者认为需要通过积极推广农户从事非木质林产品的经营,重视农药化肥生产资料投入以及促使劳动力季节性回流等措施促进非木质林产品经营。