Effects of Costa Concordia shipwreck on epiphytic assemblages and biotic features of Posidonia oceanica canopy.
This research provides first information about Posidonia oceanica canopy in the area affected by Costa Concordia wreck. Percentage cover of algal and animal taxa on the leaves was estimated and biotic features of the meadow were measured in the period just after the shipwreck until its removal from the impacted site. Changes in epiphytic assemblages and some biotic features were detected in the Disturbed site compared with Control ones, highlighting effects due to the wreck presence and activities related to its removal. A temporary decrease of encrusting macroalgae and an increase of erected macroalgae and foraminifers, as well as a temporary increase of tip erosion of the canopy were detected in the Disturbed site. The obtained results were discussed and hypotheses about possible synergic effects occurred near the wreck were commented.
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: tiziano.bacci@isprambiente.it.
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Bacci
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Penna
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Rende
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Trabucco
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Gennaro
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Bertasi
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Marusso
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Grossi
ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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Cicero
D000059:Accidents; D035961:Alismatales / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D012624:Seaweed / Q000502:physiology*; D012767:Ships; D014561:Urochordata; D014876:Water Pollution
Biotic features; Costa Concordia shipwreck; Environmental impact; Epiphytic assemblages; Mediterranean Sea; Posidonia oceanica