As a part of a wider project on fisheries ecology, several biological and environmental parameter... more As a part of a wider project on fisheries ecology, several biological and environmental parameters were monitored during two oceanographic cruises (BANSIC 2012 and NOVESAR 2013) in the Sicily Channel, which connects the Western and Eastern Mediterranean basins. The prokaryotic abundances and biomass as well as hydrolysis rates on organic matter were investigated in the euphotic layer of a retention area for fish larval stages including anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, Linnaeus, 1758) with the aim to investigate the different biogeochemical signatures in two seasonal conditions. The environmental parameters, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen together with heterotrophic production were also measured. Results showed significant increases for most of the studied parameters with increasing temperature during summer. This had effects on the Carbon cycle and recycling of nutrients; in fact total prokaryotic abundance and biomass, as well as carbon hydrolyzed by two enzymes (Leucine a...
The detection of specific antibodies in fish serum is an important assay for disease diagnosis an... more The detection of specific antibodies in fish serum is an important assay for disease diagnosis and may furnish information on the real status of fish immunization to infectious disease. To evaluate the immune response of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) against photo bacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, during an experimental challenge specific antibodies were on serum samples detected by an indirect ELISA protocol. Results showed the presence of antibodies against-P. d. p. in fish sera ten days after challenge, indicating that the specimens began to react to the pathogen.
A fluorescent antibody (FA) technique specific for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was t... more A fluorescent antibody (FA) technique specific for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was tested via challenge experiments performed in microcosms. In the challenge tank, the pathogen concentration trended from 1.71 × 106 to 0 cell/100 ml, respectively, on the first and last days of the experiment. In the control tank, the pathogen was never detected. Results showed that the FA protocol could be used as a rapid and specific method allowing the early detection of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida in fish farm waters. FA enables early detection of photobacteriosis in the environment, as bacteria can be detected even in absence of clinical sign of disease.
The abundance, biomass and size-structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic ... more The abundance, biomass and size-structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic processes were studied in the Sicily Channel, one of the most important spawning areas in the Mediterranean for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), a pelagic species of commercial interest. Results showed that prokaryotes contribute for the 83% of total carbon biomass. Microphytoplankton abundances and biomasses were dominated by autotrophic nanoflagellates and dinoflagellates (36 identified species) and contribute 11% of total biomass. The microzooplanktonic biomass showed its maximum at the surface or subsurface and its contribution was low (4%). In agreement with the general oligotrophy of the investigated area, the study highlights the prevalence of pico-sized fractions within the whole phytoplankton biomass expressed as chlorophyll content, suggesting the importance of picophytoplankton in sustaining the microbial food web. At the same time, the levels of microbial hydrolytic activiti...
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites containing increasing amounts (2–20%, w/w) of silver zeolit... more Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites containing increasing amounts (2–20%, w/w) of silver zeolite (SZ) were prepared by melt mixing and characterized by thermal, mechanical and rheological analyses. The addition of large amount of SZ did not influence the processability and the formability of the composites, if compared to neat plasticized PVC. The antibacterial activity of PVC SZ composites was tested on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis and resulted promising both in culture broth and on agar plate and also in sterile urine seeded with these strains, for simulation purposes. In sterile urine, composites induced a significant reduction (4–6 log units) of viability of both strains already at 24 h, inhibiting E. coli growth up to 20 days, whereas their antimicrobial action against S. epidermidis vanished within 5 days. The silver release in sterile urine was determined up to 20 days. It was found that the highest amount of silver ions was released during the first day ...
The active prokaryotic communities proliferate in the ecosystems of the Antarctic Ocean, particip... more The active prokaryotic communities proliferate in the ecosystems of the Antarctic Ocean, participating in biogeochemical cycles and supporting higher trophic levels. They are regulated by several environmental and ecological forcing, such as the characteristics of the water masses subjected to global warming and particulate organic matter (POM). During summer 2017, two polynyas in the Ross Sea were studied to evaluate key-microbiological parameters (the proteasic, glucosidasic, and phosphatasic activities, the microbial respiratory rates, the prokaryotic abundance and biomass) in relation to quantitative and qualitative characteristics of POM. Results showed significant differences in the epipelagic layer between two macro-areas (Terra Nova Bay and Ross Sea offshore area). Proteins and carbohydrates were metabolized rapidly in the offshore area (as shown by turnover times), due to high enzymatic activities in this zone, indicating fresh and labile organic compounds. The lower qualit...
ABSTRACT With the aim of providing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the monitoring ... more ABSTRACT With the aim of providing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the monitoring of biological and environmental information was carried out during two oceanographic cruises (2012-13) performed in the Sicilian Channel in different seasonal conditions. The Sicilian Channel is a spawning area for the Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), a small pelagic species of commercial interest. The prokaryotic abundance and biomass as well as their hydrolysis rates on organic matter were investigated at selected stations in the euphotic layer. The prokaryotic abundance ranged between 1.0 and 1.9 x10E6 cell ml-1 in summer and 2.5 - 8.1 x 10E5 cell ml-1 in winter. The prokaryotic biomass varied from 24.9 to 113.0 µgCL-1 in summer and 0.038-0.71 µgCL-1 in winter. Total leucine aminopeptidase showed the highest rates, followed by alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase in summer. During winter 2013 the alkaline phosphatase prevailed on aminopeptidase, potentially releasing 346-739 ngPL-1 for new production. The potential release of carbon ranged between 230 and 407 ngCL-1 in summer, while in winter it was low 88 -158 ngCL-1. The contribution of dissolved enzymatic activities varied between the two years, accounting for 21-42% of total carbon. The rates of total hydrolysis were comparable to previous data obtained from other oligotrophic Ionian and Mediterranean areas, while this study was the first report about the dissolved enzymatic fraction in the Strait of Sicily.
Dissolved and particulate organic carbon, bacterial biomass, microbial enzymatic activities (EEA:... more Dissolved and particulate organic carbon, bacterial biomass, microbial enzymatic activities (EEA: leucine aminopeptidase, b-glucosidase, and alkaline phosphatase), bacterial production, respiration rates, and bacterial growth efficiency were determined in 10 stations of the Ionian Sea (winter 1998-1999) with the aim of characterizing the recycling of biogenic carbon and phosphorus in the different water masses, previously identified on the basis of their hydrographical properties. All microbial activities decreased markedly with depth, with a sharp increase in the benthic boundary layer, where potential remineralization rates of phosphorus up to 1.03 mg PÁdm À3 d À1 and bacterial carbon production of 0.078 mg CÁdm À3 d À1 were recorded. Those rates were close to the surface ones; the bacterial growth efficiency was also around 20%, similar to the surface value, sustaining the microbial food chain at the bottom. The daily hydrolysis of the organic carbon pool estimated by EEA varied from 0.67% (Ionian Surface Water) to 0.02% (Deep Water). Alkaline phosphatase activity was generally low in the intermediate and deep layers, in relation to the higher inorganic P content. The last facts support the hypothesis that deep waters of Ionian Sea, and in general of the entire Mediterranean basin, because of their young age, carry a larger amount of labile dissolved organic carbon, which reduces the need for a high recycling activity by bacterial community. As a matter of fact, a relatively higher activity per cell in carbon production rates was found in the deep layer where a large volume of the very recently formed Cretan Sea Outflow Water was present.
Temporal Evolution of the Microbiological Conditions of a Sicilian Area Designed for Aquaculture (Castellammare Gulf, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), 2016
Microbiological controls of coastal seawaters are a common practice to verify their safety for hu... more Microbiological controls of coastal seawaters are a common practice to verify their safety for human recreational and productive uses. The aim of the present study is to describe the microbiological conditions of the Castellammare Gulf (Trapani, Sicily), an area traditionally used for aquaculture purposes. Particularly, the results obtained from three surveys (1993-1995, 2000-2001 and 2007) are compared in order to depict how the hygienic-sanitary conditions of this marine ecosystem have evolved over time. Attention has been given to the abundance and distribution of the bacterial indicators of faecal pollution (faecal coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella spp.) as well as halophilic vibrios, using the culture methods conventionally indicated by current legislation in force for the sanitary control of waters designed for aquaculture productions. The obtained results shows that the sanitary conditions of seawater samples met the criteria recommended by current legislations for shellfish farming approved areas. The low concentrations of faecal pollution indicators and of halophilic vibrios confirm the general suitability of the Gulf of Castellammare for seafood production. Nevertheless, the detection of low percentages of potentially pathogenic species of halophilic vibrios stresses the importance of extending microbiological controls also to these emerging pathogens.
Zaccone R, Caruso G, Zampino D, Mancuso M, Genovese L, Adone R, Ciuchini F, Manfrin A. Early dete... more Zaccone R, Caruso G, Zampino D, Mancuso M, Genovese L, Adone R, Ciuchini F, Manfrin A. Early detection of vibrio anguillarum in waters: a challenge experience on dicentrarchus labrax in microcosm. In: Aquaculture Europe 2004. Biotechnologies for Quality. Abstracts ; ...
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
The New Microbiologica Official Journal of the Italian Society For Medical Virology, 2011
to antibiotics, have become one of the most serious emerging threats in aquaculture (Sørum, 1999;... more to antibiotics, have become one of the most serious emerging threats in aquaculture (Sørum, 1999; 2006; Smith, 2008), triggered by the selective pressure on bacterial populations played by the extensive use of antimicrobial drugs, especially those present in waste waters (Baquero and Blazquez, 1997; Barbosa and Levy, 2000). Fish and shellfish farmers are recently facing risks related to the persistence of residues of antimicrobial drugs in seafood products as well as to the selection and spread of resistance to antibiotics both in animal and environmental bacterial populations. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can represent a potential public health hazard (Levy, 1992), as a consequence of direct transmission to humans through consumption of contaminated food (Alderman and Hastings, 1998; Duran and Marshall, 2005), or indirectly through the transfer of their resistance genes into fish pathogenic bacteria or human pathogens (
SHORT COMMUNICATION Lattococcosi: primo caso di infezione oculare in adulto di Seriola dumerilii ... more SHORT COMMUNICATION Lattococcosi: primo caso di infezione oculare in adulto di Seriola dumerilii (Risso, 1810) Lactococcosis: first pop-eye episode in greater amberjack specimen (Seriola dumerilii Risso, 1810
... Daniela Zampino, CNR - Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Catania, Viaie Regi... more ... Daniela Zampino, CNR - Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Catania, Viaie Regina IVIargherita, 6, zampino@ictmp.ct.cnr.it. CP1042, ly International Conference on Times of Polymers (TOP) and Composites edited by D. Aciemo, A. D'Amore, and L. Grassia ...
The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) defines a framework for Community ac... more The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) defines a framework for Community actions in the field of marine environmental policy in order to achieve and/or maintain the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the European seas by 2020. Microbial assemblages (from viruses to microbial-sized metazoa) provide a major contribution to global biodiversity and play a crucial role in the functioning of marine ecosystems, but are largely ignored by the MSFD. Prokaryotes are only seen as "microbial pathogens," without defining their role in GES indicators. However, structural or functional prokaryotic variables (abundance, biodiversity and metabolism) can be easily incorporated into several MSFD descriptors (i.e. D1. biodiversity, D4. food webs, D5. eutrophication, D8. contaminants and D9. contaminants in seafood) with beneficial effects. This review provides a critical analysis of the current MSFD descriptors and illustrates the reliability and advantages of the potential incorporation of some prokaryotic variables within the set of indicators of marine environmental quality. Following a cost/benefit analysis against scientific and economic criteria, we conclude that marine microbial components, and particularly prokaryotes, are highly effective for detecting the effects of anthropogenic pressures on marine environments and for assessing changes in the environmental health status. Thus, we recommend the inclusion of these components in future implementations of the MSFD.
As a part of a wider project on fisheries ecology, several biological and environmental parameter... more As a part of a wider project on fisheries ecology, several biological and environmental parameters were monitored during two oceanographic cruises (BANSIC 2012 and NOVESAR 2013) in the Sicily Channel, which connects the Western and Eastern Mediterranean basins. The prokaryotic abundances and biomass as well as hydrolysis rates on organic matter were investigated in the euphotic layer of a retention area for fish larval stages including anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, Linnaeus, 1758) with the aim to investigate the different biogeochemical signatures in two seasonal conditions. The environmental parameters, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen together with heterotrophic production were also measured. Results showed significant increases for most of the studied parameters with increasing temperature during summer. This had effects on the Carbon cycle and recycling of nutrients; in fact total prokaryotic abundance and biomass, as well as carbon hydrolyzed by two enzymes (Leucine a...
The detection of specific antibodies in fish serum is an important assay for disease diagnosis an... more The detection of specific antibodies in fish serum is an important assay for disease diagnosis and may furnish information on the real status of fish immunization to infectious disease. To evaluate the immune response of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) against photo bacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, during an experimental challenge specific antibodies were on serum samples detected by an indirect ELISA protocol. Results showed the presence of antibodies against-P. d. p. in fish sera ten days after challenge, indicating that the specimens began to react to the pathogen.
A fluorescent antibody (FA) technique specific for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was t... more A fluorescent antibody (FA) technique specific for Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was tested via challenge experiments performed in microcosms. In the challenge tank, the pathogen concentration trended from 1.71 × 106 to 0 cell/100 ml, respectively, on the first and last days of the experiment. In the control tank, the pathogen was never detected. Results showed that the FA protocol could be used as a rapid and specific method allowing the early detection of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida in fish farm waters. FA enables early detection of photobacteriosis in the environment, as bacteria can be detected even in absence of clinical sign of disease.
The abundance, biomass and size-structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic ... more The abundance, biomass and size-structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic processes were studied in the Sicily Channel, one of the most important spawning areas in the Mediterranean for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), a pelagic species of commercial interest. Results showed that prokaryotes contribute for the 83% of total carbon biomass. Microphytoplankton abundances and biomasses were dominated by autotrophic nanoflagellates and dinoflagellates (36 identified species) and contribute 11% of total biomass. The microzooplanktonic biomass showed its maximum at the surface or subsurface and its contribution was low (4%). In agreement with the general oligotrophy of the investigated area, the study highlights the prevalence of pico-sized fractions within the whole phytoplankton biomass expressed as chlorophyll content, suggesting the importance of picophytoplankton in sustaining the microbial food web. At the same time, the levels of microbial hydrolytic activiti...
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites containing increasing amounts (2–20%, w/w) of silver zeolit... more Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites containing increasing amounts (2–20%, w/w) of silver zeolite (SZ) were prepared by melt mixing and characterized by thermal, mechanical and rheological analyses. The addition of large amount of SZ did not influence the processability and the formability of the composites, if compared to neat plasticized PVC. The antibacterial activity of PVC SZ composites was tested on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis and resulted promising both in culture broth and on agar plate and also in sterile urine seeded with these strains, for simulation purposes. In sterile urine, composites induced a significant reduction (4–6 log units) of viability of both strains already at 24 h, inhibiting E. coli growth up to 20 days, whereas their antimicrobial action against S. epidermidis vanished within 5 days. The silver release in sterile urine was determined up to 20 days. It was found that the highest amount of silver ions was released during the first day ...
The active prokaryotic communities proliferate in the ecosystems of the Antarctic Ocean, particip... more The active prokaryotic communities proliferate in the ecosystems of the Antarctic Ocean, participating in biogeochemical cycles and supporting higher trophic levels. They are regulated by several environmental and ecological forcing, such as the characteristics of the water masses subjected to global warming and particulate organic matter (POM). During summer 2017, two polynyas in the Ross Sea were studied to evaluate key-microbiological parameters (the proteasic, glucosidasic, and phosphatasic activities, the microbial respiratory rates, the prokaryotic abundance and biomass) in relation to quantitative and qualitative characteristics of POM. Results showed significant differences in the epipelagic layer between two macro-areas (Terra Nova Bay and Ross Sea offshore area). Proteins and carbohydrates were metabolized rapidly in the offshore area (as shown by turnover times), due to high enzymatic activities in this zone, indicating fresh and labile organic compounds. The lower qualit...
ABSTRACT With the aim of providing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the monitoring ... more ABSTRACT With the aim of providing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the monitoring of biological and environmental information was carried out during two oceanographic cruises (2012-13) performed in the Sicilian Channel in different seasonal conditions. The Sicilian Channel is a spawning area for the Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758), a small pelagic species of commercial interest. The prokaryotic abundance and biomass as well as their hydrolysis rates on organic matter were investigated at selected stations in the euphotic layer. The prokaryotic abundance ranged between 1.0 and 1.9 x10E6 cell ml-1 in summer and 2.5 - 8.1 x 10E5 cell ml-1 in winter. The prokaryotic biomass varied from 24.9 to 113.0 µgCL-1 in summer and 0.038-0.71 µgCL-1 in winter. Total leucine aminopeptidase showed the highest rates, followed by alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase in summer. During winter 2013 the alkaline phosphatase prevailed on aminopeptidase, potentially releasing 346-739 ngPL-1 for new production. The potential release of carbon ranged between 230 and 407 ngCL-1 in summer, while in winter it was low 88 -158 ngCL-1. The contribution of dissolved enzymatic activities varied between the two years, accounting for 21-42% of total carbon. The rates of total hydrolysis were comparable to previous data obtained from other oligotrophic Ionian and Mediterranean areas, while this study was the first report about the dissolved enzymatic fraction in the Strait of Sicily.
Dissolved and particulate organic carbon, bacterial biomass, microbial enzymatic activities (EEA:... more Dissolved and particulate organic carbon, bacterial biomass, microbial enzymatic activities (EEA: leucine aminopeptidase, b-glucosidase, and alkaline phosphatase), bacterial production, respiration rates, and bacterial growth efficiency were determined in 10 stations of the Ionian Sea (winter 1998-1999) with the aim of characterizing the recycling of biogenic carbon and phosphorus in the different water masses, previously identified on the basis of their hydrographical properties. All microbial activities decreased markedly with depth, with a sharp increase in the benthic boundary layer, where potential remineralization rates of phosphorus up to 1.03 mg PÁdm À3 d À1 and bacterial carbon production of 0.078 mg CÁdm À3 d À1 were recorded. Those rates were close to the surface ones; the bacterial growth efficiency was also around 20%, similar to the surface value, sustaining the microbial food chain at the bottom. The daily hydrolysis of the organic carbon pool estimated by EEA varied from 0.67% (Ionian Surface Water) to 0.02% (Deep Water). Alkaline phosphatase activity was generally low in the intermediate and deep layers, in relation to the higher inorganic P content. The last facts support the hypothesis that deep waters of Ionian Sea, and in general of the entire Mediterranean basin, because of their young age, carry a larger amount of labile dissolved organic carbon, which reduces the need for a high recycling activity by bacterial community. As a matter of fact, a relatively higher activity per cell in carbon production rates was found in the deep layer where a large volume of the very recently formed Cretan Sea Outflow Water was present.
Temporal Evolution of the Microbiological Conditions of a Sicilian Area Designed for Aquaculture (Castellammare Gulf, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea), 2016
Microbiological controls of coastal seawaters are a common practice to verify their safety for hu... more Microbiological controls of coastal seawaters are a common practice to verify their safety for human recreational and productive uses. The aim of the present study is to describe the microbiological conditions of the Castellammare Gulf (Trapani, Sicily), an area traditionally used for aquaculture purposes. Particularly, the results obtained from three surveys (1993-1995, 2000-2001 and 2007) are compared in order to depict how the hygienic-sanitary conditions of this marine ecosystem have evolved over time. Attention has been given to the abundance and distribution of the bacterial indicators of faecal pollution (faecal coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella spp.) as well as halophilic vibrios, using the culture methods conventionally indicated by current legislation in force for the sanitary control of waters designed for aquaculture productions. The obtained results shows that the sanitary conditions of seawater samples met the criteria recommended by current legislations for shellfish farming approved areas. The low concentrations of faecal pollution indicators and of halophilic vibrios confirm the general suitability of the Gulf of Castellammare for seafood production. Nevertheless, the detection of low percentages of potentially pathogenic species of halophilic vibrios stresses the importance of extending microbiological controls also to these emerging pathogens.
Zaccone R, Caruso G, Zampino D, Mancuso M, Genovese L, Adone R, Ciuchini F, Manfrin A. Early dete... more Zaccone R, Caruso G, Zampino D, Mancuso M, Genovese L, Adone R, Ciuchini F, Manfrin A. Early detection of vibrio anguillarum in waters: a challenge experience on dicentrarchus labrax in microcosm. In: Aquaculture Europe 2004. Biotechnologies for Quality. Abstracts ; ...
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
The New Microbiologica Official Journal of the Italian Society For Medical Virology, 2011
to antibiotics, have become one of the most serious emerging threats in aquaculture (Sørum, 1999;... more to antibiotics, have become one of the most serious emerging threats in aquaculture (Sørum, 1999; 2006; Smith, 2008), triggered by the selective pressure on bacterial populations played by the extensive use of antimicrobial drugs, especially those present in waste waters (Baquero and Blazquez, 1997; Barbosa and Levy, 2000). Fish and shellfish farmers are recently facing risks related to the persistence of residues of antimicrobial drugs in seafood products as well as to the selection and spread of resistance to antibiotics both in animal and environmental bacterial populations. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can represent a potential public health hazard (Levy, 1992), as a consequence of direct transmission to humans through consumption of contaminated food (Alderman and Hastings, 1998; Duran and Marshall, 2005), or indirectly through the transfer of their resistance genes into fish pathogenic bacteria or human pathogens (
SHORT COMMUNICATION Lattococcosi: primo caso di infezione oculare in adulto di Seriola dumerilii ... more SHORT COMMUNICATION Lattococcosi: primo caso di infezione oculare in adulto di Seriola dumerilii (Risso, 1810) Lactococcosis: first pop-eye episode in greater amberjack specimen (Seriola dumerilii Risso, 1810
... Daniela Zampino, CNR - Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Catania, Viaie Regi... more ... Daniela Zampino, CNR - Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Catania, Viaie Regina IVIargherita, 6, zampino@ictmp.ct.cnr.it. CP1042, ly International Conference on Times of Polymers (TOP) and Composites edited by D. Aciemo, A. D'Amore, and L. Grassia ...
The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) defines a framework for Community ac... more The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) defines a framework for Community actions in the field of marine environmental policy in order to achieve and/or maintain the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the European seas by 2020. Microbial assemblages (from viruses to microbial-sized metazoa) provide a major contribution to global biodiversity and play a crucial role in the functioning of marine ecosystems, but are largely ignored by the MSFD. Prokaryotes are only seen as "microbial pathogens," without defining their role in GES indicators. However, structural or functional prokaryotic variables (abundance, biodiversity and metabolism) can be easily incorporated into several MSFD descriptors (i.e. D1. biodiversity, D4. food webs, D5. eutrophication, D8. contaminants and D9. contaminants in seafood) with beneficial effects. This review provides a critical analysis of the current MSFD descriptors and illustrates the reliability and advantages of the potential incorporation of some prokaryotic variables within the set of indicators of marine environmental quality. Following a cost/benefit analysis against scientific and economic criteria, we conclude that marine microbial components, and particularly prokaryotes, are highly effective for detecting the effects of anthropogenic pressures on marine environments and for assessing changes in the environmental health status. Thus, we recommend the inclusion of these components in future implementations of the MSFD.
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Papers by Renata Zaccone
surveys (1993-1995, 2000-2001 and 2007) are compared in order to depict how the hygienic-sanitary conditions of this marine ecosystem have evolved over time.
Attention has been given to the abundance and distribution of the bacterial indicators of faecal pollution (faecal coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella spp.) as well as halophilic vibrios, using the culture methods conventionally indicated by current legislation in force for the sanitary control of waters designed for aquaculture productions. The
obtained results shows that the sanitary conditions of seawater samples met the criteria recommended by current legislations for shellfish farming approved areas. The low concentrations of faecal pollution indicators and of halophilic vibrios confirm the general suitability of the Gulf of Castellammare for seafood production. Nevertheless, the detection of low percentages of potentially pathogenic species of halophilic vibrios stresses the importance of extending
microbiological controls also to these emerging pathogens.
surveys (1993-1995, 2000-2001 and 2007) are compared in order to depict how the hygienic-sanitary conditions of this marine ecosystem have evolved over time.
Attention has been given to the abundance and distribution of the bacterial indicators of faecal pollution (faecal coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella spp.) as well as halophilic vibrios, using the culture methods conventionally indicated by current legislation in force for the sanitary control of waters designed for aquaculture productions. The
obtained results shows that the sanitary conditions of seawater samples met the criteria recommended by current legislations for shellfish farming approved areas. The low concentrations of faecal pollution indicators and of halophilic vibrios confirm the general suitability of the Gulf of Castellammare for seafood production. Nevertheless, the detection of low percentages of potentially pathogenic species of halophilic vibrios stresses the importance of extending
microbiological controls also to these emerging pathogens.