Dinoflagellate resting cysts from surface sediments of the Adriatic Ports: Distribution and potential spreading patterns. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Poi, Elena; Kraus, Romina; Cabrini, Marina; Finotto, Stefania; Flander-Putrle, Vesna; Grego, Mateja; Kužat, Nataša; Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Pezzolesi, Laura; Riccardi, Elena; Bernardi Aubry, Fabrizio; Bastianini, Mauro
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 147(2019)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Dinoflagellate cysts -- Non-indigenous species -- Port baseline survey -- Ballast waters -- Circulation -- Adriatic Sea; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The ability of microalgae to preserve viable in coastal sediments as resting forms provides a reservoir of biodiversity and a useful tool to determine species spreadings. This study represents the first port baseline survey on dinoflagellate cysts, investigated in nine Adriatic ports during a cross border project. 40 dinoflagellate taxa were detected. The assemblages resulted in all ports dominated by Lingulodinium polyedra and Alexandrium minutum/affine/tamutum group. General separation to the western and eastern side of the Adriatic regarding cysts assemblage composition, partially abundance, was observed. Six taxa were detected as non-indigenous species for the Adriatic. Two taxa are included in the list of harmful aquatic organisms, indicating the potential threat of ballast waters in the Adriatic. Potential spreading of taxa by general circulation and ballast waters, intra- and extra-Adriatic was investigated. The entering in to force of the ballast waters management regulations should enhance prospects to minimize future harmful impacts. Highlights: Cysts seasonality in ports limited to quantitative aspect, qualitatively constant Heterotrophic cysts dominate western, autotrophic and mixotrophic eastern Adriatic. Six NIS observed in six ports, including Alexandrium affine and A. insuetum Eight taxa of variable toxicity were observed. Three taxa potentially spread by general circulation system over the Adriatic.