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Distribution of Meio- and Macrofaunal Assemblages in Anthropogenically Impacted Coastal Sediments (NW Mediterranean)

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Mediterranean Ecosystems

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Abstract

Meio- and macrofaunal assemblages in front of Genova and Savona were studied in order to evaluate their structure in anthropogenically impacted coastal sediments. In the study area, sediment particle size clearly decreases with depth, while their organic matter content shows a clearly increasing pattern. Hydrocarbons show top values at 20 m depth in front of Genova and at 50 m depth in front of Savona. In the whole considered area mollusc and echinoderm assemblages evidence higher densities and species number at 20 m depth. Herein a transition zone is observed where species characteristic of organic enrichment and sediment instability, such as the bivalves Corbula gibba and Thyasira flexuosa, reach top densities. Suspension-feeders dominate at 10 m, at 50 m deposit-feeders turn out dominant, while at 20 m these alternative feeding strategies coexist. Meiofauna abundance and number of taxa reached top values at 10 m depth in front of Genova as well as in front of Savona.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento per lo Studio del Territorio e delle Sue Risorse, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132, Genova, Italy

    A. Covazzi Harriague, M. Chiantore, E. Piccione, L. Maliardi & G. Albertelli

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  1. A. Covazzi Harriague
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  2. M. Chiantore
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  3. E. Piccione
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  4. L. Maliardi
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  5. G. Albertelli
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Scienze Ambientali Marine, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV,5, I-16132, Genova, Italy

    Francesco Maria Faranda

  2. Dipartimento di Biologia ed Ecologia Marina, Università di Messina, Salita Sperone, 31, I-98166, Messina-S. Agata, Italy

    Letterio Guglielmo

  3. Istituto di Meteorologia e Oceanografia, Istituto Universitario Navale, Via Amm. Acton, 38, I-80133, Napoli, Italy

    GianCarlo Spezie

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© 2001 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Harriague, A.C., Chiantore, M., Piccione, E., Maliardi, L., Albertelli, G. (2001). Distribution of Meio- and Macrofaunal Assemblages in Anthropogenically Impacted Coastal Sediments (NW Mediterranean). In: Faranda, F.M., Guglielmo, L., Spezie, G. (eds) Mediterranean Ecosystems. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2105-1_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2105-1_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2162-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2105-1

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