Anthropogenically induced environmental changes in the northeastern Adriatic Sea in the last 500 years (Panzano Bay, Gulf of Trieste)
Shallow and sheltered marine embayments in urbanized areas are prone to the accumulation of pollutants, but little is known about the historical baselines of such marine ecosystems. Here we study foraminiferal assemblages, geochemical proxies and sedimentological data from 1.6 m long sediment cores...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-11-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/5965/2016/bg-13-5965-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | Shallow and sheltered marine embayments in urbanized areas are
prone to the accumulation of pollutants, but little is known about the
historical baselines of such marine ecosystems. Here we study foraminiferal
assemblages, geochemical proxies and sedimentological data from 1.6 m long
sediment cores to uncover ∼ 500 years of anthropogenic pressure
from mining, port and industrial activities in the Gulf of Trieste, Italy.
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From 1600 to 1900 AD, normalized element concentrations and foraminiferal
assemblages point to negligible effects of agricultural activities. The only
significant anthropogenic activity during this period was mercury mining in
the hinterlands of the gulf, releasing high amounts of mercury into the bay
and significantly exceeding the standards on the effects of trace elements
on benthic organisms. Nonetheless, the fluctuations in the concentrations of
mercury do not correlate with changes in the composition and diversity of
foraminiferal assemblages due to its non-bioavailability. Intensified
agricultural and maricultural activities in the first half of the 20th
century caused slight nutrient enrichment and a minor increase in
foraminiferal diversity. Intensified port and industrial activities in the
second half of 20th century increased the normalized trace
element concentrations and persistent organic pollutants (PAH, PCB) in the
topmost part of the core. This increase caused only minor changes in the
foraminiferal community because foraminifera in Panzano Bay have a long
history of adaptation to elevated trace element concentrations.
<br><br>
Our study underlines the importance of using an integrated,
multidisciplinary approach in reconstructing the history of environmental
and anthropogenic changes in marine systems. Given the prolonged human
impacts in coastal areas like the Gulf of Trieste, such long-term baseline
data are crucial for interpreting the present state of marine ecosystems. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |