Naslov
Ecological quality status based on benthic foraminifera: total vs living assemblages, example from Northern Adriatic (offshore of Koper Bay)

Autori
Rakarić, Mihovil ; Hadžić, Eric ; Šanjek, Rahela : Žvab Rožič, Petra ; Ćosović, Vlasta

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of Abstracts / Faganeli, Jadran ; Ogrinc, Nives - Ljubljana : National Institute of Biology, Piran ; Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, 2022, 51-51

ISBN
978-961-7144-16-1

Skup
15th International Symposium on the Interactions between Sediments and Water

Mjesto i datum
Piran, Slovenija, 12.06.2022. - 15.06.2022

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Northern Adriatic, Sulfur spring, Benthic foraminifera, Foram-AMBI index, EcoQS

Sažetak
Benthic foraminifera are an efficient tool for environmental monitoring, especially for determining ecological quality status (EcoQS). The question arises to what extent we can rely on the data obtained from the study of the total (dead + living specimens) assemblages. It is often difficult (due to sampling gear used, water depth, identification of stained specimens as living at the time of sampling) to obtain a standard count of living specimens. In this study, we compare two ecological indices, the Foram-AMBI [1] and the diversity index expressed as effective number of species [exp (hbc)] [2] ; from the total and live assemblages of the same sample. Samples of the uppermost 1 cm of sediment were collected offshore of Koper Bay (Northern Adriatic) at 24 m water depth, near temporally active submarine vents. The samples were immediately treated with Rose Bengal and kept in solution for the next two weeks. Wet sieving was done on mesh>63 μm. About 200 stained and un-stained foraminiferal tests were randomly picked for one analysis, while about 200 living (stained) tests were picked for the second analysis. As provided in the Foram-AMBI formula, species were assigned to one of five ecological groups based on their sensitivity/tolerance to increasing organic matter enrichment. Of 25 species assigned (79% of all specimens) out of 37 identified, most were assigned to Groups I-III and Group IV had two species, respectively. Although the Foram-AMBI index should be used with caution, its value of 1.83 indicates a good status, while [exp (hbc)] of 21.48 suggests excellent condition. The living assemblage (19 species) consists of a small number of unassigned species (15% of all specimens). The Foram-AMBI index is 2.12 (good status), while the effective number of species and community composition is 10.02, indicating good EcoQS. The values of the Foram-AMBI indices in the two studied assemblages are similar, while there is a discrepancy in the ecological status defined by the effective number of species. This study was carried out within the framework of the scientific project IP-2019-04-5775 funded by HRZZ.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija

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