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Phytoplankton dynamics with a special emphasis on harmful algal blooms in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy)

  • Integrated environmental characterization of the contaminated marine coastal area of Taranto, Ionian Sea (southern Italy) - the RITMARE Project
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Abstract

The response of phytoplankton assemblages to the closure of urban sewage outfalls (USOs) was examined for the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Mediterranean Sea), a productive semi-enclosed coastal marine ecosystem devoted to shellfish farming. Phytoplankton dynamics were investigated in relation to environmental variables, with a particular emphasis on harmful algal blooms (HABs). Recent analyses evidenced a general reduction of the inorganic nutrient loads, except for nitrates and silicates. Also phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and abundances were characterized by a decrease of the values, except for the inner area of the basin (second inlet). The phytoplankton composition changed, with nano-sized species, indicators of oligotrophic conditions, becoming dominant over micro-sized species. If the closure of the USOs affected phytoplankton dynamics, however, it did not preserve the Mar Piccolo from HABs and anoxia crises. About 25 harmful species have been detected throughout the years, such as the potentially domoic acid producers Pseudo-nitzschia cf. galaxiae and P seudo-nitzschia cf. multistriata, identified for the first time in these waters. The presence of HABs represents a threat for human health and aquaculture. Urgent initiatives are needed to improve the communication with authorities responsible for environmental protection, economic development, and public health for a sustainable mussel culture in the Mar Piccolo.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Roberta Bortul (Dipartimento Universitario Clinico di Scienze mediche, chirurgiche e della salute, University of Trieste) and Paolo Bertoncin (Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste) for technical assistance with TEM. Financial support for the activities carried out in 2007–2008 was provided by the Project VulnErability of the Italian coastal area and marine Ecosystems to Climatic changes and Their rOle in the Mediterranean caRbon cycles (V.E.C.T.O.R.) funded by Ministry of Education, University and Research; Ministry of Economy and Finance; Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Natural Resources; and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with Integrated Special Fund for Research (FISR)-Call 2001. Researches carried out in 2013–2014 were funded by the Project Bandiera RITMARE-La Ricerca Italiana per il Mare coordinated by the National Research Council and funded by the Ministry for Education, University and Research within the National Research Programme 2011–2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Via Roma 3, 74123, Taranto, Italy

    Carmela Caroppo

  2. Oceanography Section, OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale), Via A. Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy

    Federica Cerino, Rocco Auriemma & Tamara Cibic

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  1. Carmela Caroppo
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  2. Federica Cerino
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  4. Tamara Cibic
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Correspondence to Carmela Caroppo.

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Caroppo, C., Cerino, F., Auriemma, R. et al. Phytoplankton dynamics with a special emphasis on harmful algal blooms in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy). Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 12691–12706 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5000-y

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