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Papers
10 resultsShowing papers from Consorzio per il Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata G. Bacci
ClearDiet and Plastic Ingestion in the Blackmouth Catshark Galeus melastomus, Rafinesque 1810, in Italian Waters
Researchers analyzed diet and plastic ingestion in blackmouth catsharks from Italian waters, finding microplastic particles in stomach contents alongside natural prey items, confirming plastic contamination in deep-sea Mediterranean predators.
Stress-Related Molecular Biomarkers to Monitor the Effects of Global Changes on Calcifying Reef-Forming Organisms: A Review in the Mediterranean
This review examines the use of molecular stress biomarkers to monitor the health of reef-forming organisms in the Mediterranean under climate change and pollution pressures. The study identifies gaps in current monitoring approaches and highlights the need for standardized protocols using biochemical indicators to detect early warning signs of stress in these ecologically important organisms.
Polyethylene microplastics reduce filtration and respiration rates in the Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics significantly reduced filtration and respiration rates in the Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis, suggesting that microplastic pollution may impair the ecological functions of these important filter-feeders.
Restoration of Posidonia oceanica Meadow Using Cuttings from an Area Impacted by Harbor Extension Project
A large-scale restoration project of a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow in northern Sardinia used cuttings from a donor meadow slated for destruction by harbor construction, transplanting them to a degraded Mediterranean site. The project documented outcomes and challenges for seagrass restoration at scales larger than most previous attempts.
What, where, and when: Spatial-temporal distribution of macro-litter on the seafloor of the western and central Mediterranean sea
Using fishery-independent monitoring data from the western Mediterranean, this study characterized the spatial and temporal distribution of macro-litter on the seafloor, identifying accumulation hotspots to guide marine litter management efforts.
Looking for Nano- and Microplastics in Meiofauna Using Advanced Methodologies
This study developed new microscopy and spectroscopy methods to detect nano- and microplastics inside meiofauna — the tiny invertebrates (30–1000 µm) living at the bottom of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Because meiofauna are abundant and sit at the base of aquatic food webs, confirming their ingestion of plastic particles is important for understanding how microplastics enter and accumulate up the food chain.
High spatial resolution photo mosaicking for the monitoring of coralligenous reefs
Researchers developed a high-resolution photomosaic method using underwater cameras to monitor coralligenous reef ecosystems without disturbing them. These deep-water reef habitats are increasingly impacted by marine litter including plastic debris, which can smother and damage their complex structures.
The Culturable Mycobiota of Sediments and Associated Microplastics: From a Harbor to a Marine Protected Area, a Comparative Study
Researchers investigated fungal diversity in sediments and microplastic surfaces at three Mediterranean sites with varying anthropogenic impact -- a harbor, a marine protected area, and an intermediate site -- culturing 1,526 isolates and finding that microplastics harbor distinct fungal assemblages compared to surrounding sediments, with several species recorded for the first time in marine environments.
Ask the shark: blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) as a sentinel of plastic waste on the seabed
Researchers examined the stomach contents and feeding habits of blackmouth catshark caught from Mediterranean seafloor habitats to assess whether plastic ingestion rates in this deep-sea sentinel species could serve as an indirect indicator of macroplastic accumulation on the seabed.
Ask the shark: Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) as a sentinel of plastic waste on the seabed
This study used the blackmouth catshark as a biological sentinel for seafloor plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, comparing plastic ingestion rates to estimated plastic density on the seabed. Catshark ingestion of plastics was positively correlated with plastic accumulation on the seafloor. Using sharks and other benthic predators as indirect indicators of seabed plastic pollution offers a cost-effective monitoring approach.