Interaction and mobility have attracted much interest in research within scholarly fields as different as archaeology, history, and more broadly the humanities. Critically assessing some of the most ...widespread views on interaction and its social impact, this book proposes an innovative perspective which combines radical social theory and currently burgeoning network methodologies. Through an in-depth analysis of a wealth of data often difficult to access, and illustrated by many diagrams and maps, the book highlights connections and their social implications at different scales ranging from the individual settlement to the Mediterranean. The resulting diachronic narrative explores social and economic trajectories over some seven centuries and sheds new light on the broad historical trends affecting the life of people living around the Middle Sea.
•Faecal pollution data from the past 11 years in the Adriatic sea were analysed.•FIB contamination changed over space and time.•A general reduction of structural zeros over time was found.River ...discharge and rainfall did not explain faecal pollution•CSOs events were highly correlated with peaks in FIB.
Faecal contamination of the coastal sea poses widespread hazard to human and environmental health and is predicted to rise in response to global change and human pressure. For better management and risk reduction it is thus imperative to clarify and predict trends of faecal pollution over spatial and temporal scales, and to assess links with climate and other variables. Here, we investigated the spatio-temporal variation in the Faecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) Escherichia coli and enterococci, over a time frame spanning 11 years (2011–2021) along a coastal area covering approximately 40 km and 59 bathing sites in the Marche region (Adriatic Sea, Italy), characterized by intense beach tourism, high riverine inputs, resident population, maritime traffic and industrial activities. Our analysis, that considers 5,183 measurements during the bathing season (April to October), shows that FIB abundance varied significantly among years. A general, although not significant, increase over time of both FIB was observed, mainly due to a general reduction of structural zeros (i.e., zeros originated from the actual absence of the response variable) over the examined time period. FIB abundances displayed their maxima and minima in different years according to the municipality, with overall peaks recorded in different months (May-June or September), whereas the lowest values were always observed in October. FIB levels were not significantly related neither to rainfalls nor to river discharge, but the activation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs), typically occurring after intense rainfall events, appeared as a necessary condition for the high faecal contamination levels. Considering climate change scenarios predicting significant increases in extreme weather events, our findings support the usefulness of analysing long-term trends to identify pollution sources, and the prioritization of control strategies to better manage the release of microbial pollutants from combined sewer overflows in coastal waters to reduce human risks.
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We depict the relative sea-level rise scenarios for the year 2100 from four areas of the Italian peninsula. Our estimates are based on the Rahmstorf (2007) and IPCC-AR5 reports 2013 for the RCP-8.5 ...scenarios (www.ipcc.ch) of climate change, adjusted for the rates of vertical land movements (isostasy and tectonics). These latter are inferred from the elevation of MIS 5.5 deposits and from late Holocene sea-level indicators, matched against sea-level predictions for the same periods using the glacio-hydro-isostatic model of Lambeck et al. (2011). We focus on a variety of tectonic settings: the subsiding North Adriatic coast (including the Venice lagoon), two tectonically stable Sardinia coastal plains (Oristano and Cagliari), and the slightly uplifting Taranto coastal plain, in Apulia. Maps of flooding scenarios are shown on high-resolution Digital Terrain Models mostly based on Lidar data. The expected relative sea-level rise by 2100 will change dramatically the present-day morphology, potentially flooding up to about 5500 km2 of coastal plains at elevations close to present-day sea level.
The subsequent loss of land will impact the environment and local infrastructures, suggesting land planners and decision makers to take into account these scenarios for a cognizant coastal management. Our method developed for the Italian coast can be applied worldwide in other coastal areas expected to be affected by marine ingression due to global climate change.
The dynamics of hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in a Northwestern coastal area of the Adriatic Sea were investigated. The time series data from continuous observation (2007–2022) allowed ...the investigation of annual trends and seasonal cycles along a coastal transect influenced by local river discharge. Various statistical models were used to investigate water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic, inorganic and particulate nutrients, precipitation and river discharge. It was found that the local river discharge regime played an essential role in interannual, and seasonal biogeochemical dynamics associated with global climate change in the Mediterranean region. A significant trend towards oligotrophic conditions was detected, as evidenced by the downward trend in the river mouth and on the sea of chlorophyll a (−0.2 μg L−1 in the sea), dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., −0.43 μM yr−1 of DON in the sea and −6.67 of DIN μM yr−1 in the river mouth or −0.07 μM yr−1 of DOP and −0.02 μM yr−1 of DIP in the river mouth) and silicate (−2.47 μM yr−1 in the river mouth) concentrations. Salinity showed a long-term increase in the sea (0.08 yr−1), corresponding to a significant decrease in water discharge from the local river (−0.27 m3 s−1 yr−1) and precipitation (−0.06 mm yr−1). The dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients highlighted a different seasonal accumulation under the river runoff regime. The nutrient enrichment was predominantly driven by river contribution. Data analysis showed that the coastal biogeochemical properties dynamics were mostly influenced by river discharge and precipitation regimes, which in turn are driven by climate change variability in the North-western Adriatic Sea.
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•Time series data allowed assessing variability of biogeochemical properties in coastal waters.•Role of the minor river inputs on interannual trend and seasonal cycles of biogeochemical properties.•Confirmed oligotrophic trends in NW Adriatic coastal waters of organic and inorganic N and P.•Organic N and P originate from river runoff input than regeneration production.•Runoff variability and climate changes as drivers of biogeochemical dynamics in Adriatic Sea.
Despite the wide geographic distribution of mussels and their importance in fisheries and aquaculture, understanding of temporal and spatial variations of their growth is still limited. This can be, ...at least partly, attributed to the lack of distinct growth lines in their shells. Our study uses geochemical properties of shells, particularly oxygen (δ18Oshell) and carbon (δ13Cshell) stable isotope values, to reconstruct mussel growth. Mytilus galloprovincialis specimens were collected from two of the most important bivalve aquaculture sites in the eastern Adriatic - Krka River estuary and Mali Ston Bay. The first site has variable environmental conditions, influenced mainly by the Krka River, resulting in a strong temperature and salinity gradient along the estuary. In contrast, Mali Ston Bay is a relatively shallow enclosed bay with more stable conditions. Samples for δ18Oshell and δ13Cshell analysis were acquired by manual microdrilling cross-sectioned shells from three similar sized shells from each site. In addition, analysis of elemental profiles (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Ba/Ca) in shells from the Krka River estuary was conducted using laser ablation ICPMS. Temperature and salinity values were obtained for each site through research and monitoring projects and used to calculate predicted δ18Oshell values. By aligning the measured δ18Oshell data along the predicted δ18Oshell curve, it was possible to reconstruct the timing and rate of seasonal shell growth. Results show that M. galloprovincialis shell deposition slows down and/or ceases during high temperature and low salinity periods. Specimens from the Krka River estuary had faster shell growth rates and were characterised by higher δ13Cshell values. Mg/Ca profiles of M. galloprovincialis specimens from the Krka River estuary, confirm growth periodicity data obtained by δ18O analysis. Ba/Ca peaks were also discussed by comparison with δ13C time-series and environmental data. Results have potential applications in fisheries studies as well as in palaeoecology and palaeoceanography research.
•M. galloprovincialis is a high-resolution archive of δ18Oshell and δ13Cshell data.•Shell deposition slows down and/or ceases during high temperature and low salinity.•Spatial variations in M. galloprovincialis shell growth and δ13Cshell values.•Synchronised Ba/Cashell peaks in specimens from Krka River estuary.
Micro-plastic particles in the world's oceans represent a serious threat to both human health and marine ecosystems. Once released into the aquatic environment plastic litter is broken down to ...smaller pieces through photo-degradation and the physical actions of waves, wind, etc. The resulting particles may become so small that they are readily taken up by fish, crustaceans and mollusks. There is mounting evidence for the uptake of plastic particles by marine organisms that form part of the human food chain and this is driving urgent calls for further and deeper investigations into this pollution issue.
The present study aimed at investigating for the first time the occurrence, amount, typology of microplastic litter in the gastrointestinal tract of Solea solea and its spatial distribution in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. This benthic flatfish was selected as it is a species of high commercial interest within the FAO GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) area 37 (Mediterranean and Black Sea) where around 15% of the overall global Solea solea production originates.
The digestive tract contents of 533 individuals collected in fall during 2014 and 2015 from 60 sampling sites were examined for microplastics. These were recorded in 95% of sampled fish, with more than one microplastic item found in around 80% of the examined specimens. The most commonly found polymers were polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and polyamide, 72% as fragments and 28% as fibers. The mean number of ingested microplastics was 1.73 ± 0.05 items per fish in 2014 and 1.64 ± 0.1 in 2015. PVC and PA showed the highest densities in the northern Adriatic Sea, both inshore and off-shore while PE, PP and PET were more concentrated in coastal areas with the highest values offshore from the port of Rimini.
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•The characterization of microplastics in the stomach of common sole is investigated.•Investigations were oriented toward size and polymer composition.•The majority of plastics were fragments, only a limited amount of fibers was scored.
Occurrence and polymeric composition of microplastics in stomach content of wild S. solea is assessed. Spatial distribution is more influenced both by polymers chemical-physical properties and peculiarities in the oceanographic conditions rather than by the feeding strategy of the species.
Recreational boats are a dominant source of underwater noise in coastal areas, but reliable boat noise assessment is generally lacking. Here the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) of seven recreational ...and small fishing boats moving at two different speeds was measured in the shallow waters of the Cres-Lošinj Natura 2000 SCI (Croatia). Measurements were undertaken considering the internationally recognized standards and published guidelines for shallow waters. URN was provided in 1/3 octave band spectra and in narrow band spectra, to highlight the tonal components. Engine power and type rather than the boat length and design result to be more predictive of URN. Highest speeds induce highest noise levels only in a very limited frequency range and different boats with similar speed but different engines show a shift in the spectra. Relevance of the achieved results for the tested area is further discussed.
•Underwater Radiated Noise of seven boat types was measured in a shallow environment.•Underwater Radiated Noise was provided as 1/3 octave and narrow band spectra.•The spectra show strong tonal components.•Boats with similar speed but different engines show different noise emissions.•Highest speed induces highest noise levels only in a very limited frequency range.
The Kvarner area is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, between the south-east Istrian Swell, the Rijeka coast and the Croatian sea boundary. It includes several islands, representing the ...outcropping parts of anticlines produced by the compressional/transpressional deformation of the External Dinaric Chain. An extensive 2D seismic dataset, acquired for hydrocarbon exploration and calibrated by wells, allowed us to reconstruct the time structural maps in Kvarner and unravel its regional fault pattern. The Dinaric compressional phase affected the area in the Late Cretaceous, with both thin- and thick-skinned tectonics related to Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP) succession rigidity. Structural highs facing the Kvarner offshore from the Istrian inland continue through the Kvarner and Rijeka bays and outcrop in the islands. These anticlines, originating from the pre-Messinian Dinaric thrust system, were reactivated by the post-Messinian transpression, as testified by flower structures. Several sharp valleys represent two main low structural lineaments, developed between the anticlines and partially incised during the Messinian. They were observed throughout the entire studied area, specifically in the western part of the bays, where the lineament continues through the valleys and penetrates the SW-Istria land. Data show that the Messinian erosional effect and sedimentation patterns were influenced and driven by the morphology of older structures produced by the Dinaric compressional phase.
•Thin-and thick-skinned tectonics is present in the External Dinarides.•Structures of Kvarner Islands continue in the Istrian peninsula through Kvarner offshore.•Sharp valleys are filled by a prograding clinoform system bounded by two major unconformities.•Older tectonic structures played an important role in recent geodynamics of External Dinarides.
This is the first survey to investigate the occurrence and extent of microplastic contamination in sediments collected along a coast-open sea 140km-long transect in the Central Adriatic Sea. Plastic ...debris extracted from 64 samples of sediments were counted, weighted and identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Several types of plastic particles were observed in 100% of the stations. Plastic particles ranged from 1 to 30mm in length. The primary shape types by number were filaments (69.3%), followed by fragments (16.4%), and film (14.3%). Microplastics (1–5mm) accounted for 65.1% of debris, mesoplastics (5–20mm) made up 30.3% of total amount, while macro debris (>20mm) accounted for 4.6% of total plastics collected. Identification through FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 6 polymer types: the majority of plastic debris were nylon, polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Our data are a baseline for microplastic research in the Adriatic Sea.
•Sediments of the Adriatic Sea were sampled in 2015 to assess plastics quantity and type.•Microplastics (1–5mm) accounted for 65.1% % of debris•The primary shape types by number were filaments (69.3%).•FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 6 plastic types.•The most common materials were nylon and polyethylene.
The transport of a variety of pollutants from agricultural, industrial and urbanised areas makes rivers major contributors to the contamination of coastal marine environments. Too little is known of ...their role in carrying pathogens to the coast. We used DNA-based metabarcoding data to describe the microbial community composition in seawater and sediment collected in front of the estuary of the Tronto, the Chienti and the Esino, three Italian rivers with different pollution levels that empty into the north-central Adriatic Sea, and to detect and measure within these communities the relative abundance of microbial pollutants, including traditional faecal indicators and alternative faecal and sewage-associated pollutants. We then applied the FORENSIC algorithm to distinguish human from non-human sources of microbial pollution and FAPROTAX to map prokaryotic clades to established metabolic or other ecologically relevant functions. Finally, we searched the dataset for other common pathogenic taxa. Seawater and sediment contained numerous potentially pathogenic bacteria, mainly faecal and sewage-associated. The samples collected in front of the Tronto estuary showed the highest level of contamination, likely sewage-associated. The pathogenic signature showed a weak but positive correlation with some nutrients and strong correlations with some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study confirms that rivers transport pathogenic bacteria to the coastal sea and highlights the value of expanding the use of HTS data, source tracking and functional identification tools to detect microbial pollutants and identify their sources with a view to gaining a better understanding of the pathways of sewage-associated discharges to the sea.
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•Rivers can be major contributors to the pollution of coastal marine environments.•The role of rivers in transporting pathogens to the coast still remain unanswered.•Traditional, alternative and sewage-related faecal pollutants were found.•Both seawater and sediment were presumptively contaminated by potential pathogens.•Correlations between pathogenic signature and anthropogenic impact were found.
Faecal and sewage-associated bacteria released by coastal rivers make these waterways a source of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the coastal sea.
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