High-frequency observations during Adriatic mucilage event reveal unique phytoplankton traits and diversity response

Vlašiček, Ivan; Marić Pfannkuchen, Daniela; Smodlaka Tanković, Mirta; Baričević, Ana; Kogovšek, Tjaša; Kužat, Nataša; Knjaz, Mia; Grižančić, Lana; Podolšak, Ivan; Turković, Ariana; Šulc, Robert; Kopal, Robert; Špadina, Mario; Pfannkuchen, Martin (2025) High-frequency observations during Adriatic mucilage event reveal unique phytoplankton traits and diversity response. Scientific Reports, 16 . ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

Mucilage aggregation is a striking phenomenon in the northern Adriatic Sea, reappearing massively in surface waters on the Istrian coast in 2024 after 20 years. Formed through polymerization of exuded sugars during microphytoplankton blooms, mucilage events are hard to capture with traditional monitoring. Here, we used real-time in situ sensors, satellite data and daily pulse-shape flow cytometry to analyze phytoplankton dynamics during this event. Mucilage formation was linked to rising temperatures and Po River-induced salinity drops. Microphytoplankton species like Cerataulina pelagica, Cylindrotheca closterium, Thalassionema spp., and Gonyaulax fragilis showed as important taxa in each different phase of the phenomenon. Aggregates consisted mainly of single cells. Mucilage periods featured low diversity and thicker, more complex cells, unlike autumn blooms which showed higher diversity, chain-forming colonies, and more pigments. Our findings highlight the key role of microphytoplankton and single cells in mucilage dynamics and the influence of environmental factors like temperature, wind and freshwater inputs on phytoplankton structure and biomass in coastal ecosystems.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mucilage; adriatic; phytoplankton; satelite
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences > Marine Science
Divisions:	Center for Marine Research
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Životne strategije fitoplanktona u sjevernom Jadranu-P-limit Martin Pfannkuchen UIP-2014-09-6563 HRZZ Molekularne životne strategije fitoplanktona u Jadranu-Adri LIFE Daniela Marić Pfannkuchen UIP-2020-02-7868 HRZZ Joint European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories: Science, Service, Sustainability-JERICO-S3 Martin Pfannkuchen 871153 EK Climate change information, monitoring and management tools for adaptation stgrategies in Adriatic coastal areas-ADRIACLIM Ana Baričević; Gordana Beg Paklar 10252001 EK CoAStal and marine waters integrated monitoring systems for ecosystems proteCtion AnD managemEnt-CASCADE Daniela Marić Pfannkuchen; Ivana Ujević 10255941 EK MARine Litter cross-borderawarenESS and innovation actions-MARLESS Mirta Smodlaka Tanković 10253874 EK BRIGANTINE - Chemico-physical and multispectral Data fusion for Adriatic sea monitoring by autonomous vessel Smiljko Rudan ITHR0200237 EK
Depositing User:	Ivan Vlašiček
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2026 10:52
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/10899
DOI:	10.1038/s41598-025-31369-4

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