Ecological quality assessment in the Eastern Mediterranean combining live and dead molluscan assemblages

Marine Pollution Bulletin
Yael LeshnoYael Edelman-Furstenberg

Abstract

The EU directive to quantify ecological quality by deviation from pre-impacted conditions often fails to be implemented because past information is usually incomplete or missing. Molluscan death assemblages, representing long-term accumulation of shells on the sea floor, average out short-term variability and can serve as a baseline for quality assessment. AMBI, Bentix and Shannon-Wiener indices were calculated for live and dead assemblages from polluted and control stations on the highly oligotrophic Levantine shallow shelf of Israel. Bentix successfully tracked deterioration over time, from moderate EcoQS in the dead to poor in the live assemblage. Additional modification of the ecological classification of species by scoring the naturally abundant Corbula gibba as pollution-sensitive improved the utility of the Bentix index in monitoring in this part of the Mediterranean. This adjustment of Bentix, and use of death assemblages for an ecological baseline, should therefore be incorporated in monitoring for compliance with EU directives.

References

Aug 6, 2004·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·S A Becher, A E Magurran
Jun 14, 2005·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Angel BorjaUNKNOWN AZTI, Department of Oceonography and Marine Environment, Herrera Kaia, Portualdea sin 20110 Pasaia, Spain
Jun 24, 2006·Science·Heike K LotzeJeremy B C Jackson
Oct 30, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Susan M Kidwell
Nov 27, 2007·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Laurence D MeeMichael Elliott
Mar 3, 2010·Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics·Evan Marlin, Arthur Marlin
Aug 17, 2012·Nature·Benjamin S HalpernDirk Zeller
Nov 28, 2012·Marine Pollution Bulletin·F M SouzaM G Camargo
Feb 14, 2014·Environmental Monitoring and Assessment·N SimbouraM A Pancucci-Papadopoulou
Dec 3, 2014·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Kalina Manabe BraukoPaulo da Cunha Lana
Apr 23, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Susan M Kidwell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.