Microbial communities as indicators of marine ecosystem health: Insights from coastal sediments in the eastern Adriatic Sea

Ramljak, Ana; Zucko, Jurica; Lučić, Mavro; Babić, Ivana; Morić, Z.; Fafanđel, Maja; Furdek Turk, Martina; Matijević, Slavica; Karpouzas, D.; Udiković-Kolić, Nikolina; Petrić, Ines (2024) Microbial communities as indicators of marine ecosystem health: Insights from coastal sediments in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 205 . ISSN 0025-326X

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Abstract

Considering the adaptability and responsiveness of microorganisms to environmental changes, their indicator potential is still not acknowledged in European directives. This comprehensive study examined the changes of microbial communities in sediments and a range of geochemical parameters from pristine and anthropogenically impacted coastal areas in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Various analytical methods found evidence of sediment contamination (high toxicity level, enrichments of metals, tributyltin) in certain areas, leading to the categorization of sediments based on the level of anthropogenic disturbance. Prokaryotes were identified as the most promising group of microbes for further research, with specific bacterial families (Rhodobacteraceae, Ectothiorhodospiraceae, Cyclobacteriaceae) and genera (Boseongicola, B2M28, Subgroup 23, Sva0485, Thiogranum) proposed as potential indicators of environmental status. Finally, predictive models were developed to identify key indicator variables for assessing anthropogenic impact in sediments. This research represents an essential step toward incorporating microbial communities into assessments of benthic environmental health.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	microbial community; marine sediment; anthropogenic disturbance; biomonitoring; environmental status; Adriatic Sea
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology SOCIAL SCIENCES > Information and Communication Sciences
Divisions:	Center for Marine Research Division for Marine and Enviromental Research
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Struktura i funkcija mikrobnih zajednica kao karika koja nedostaje pri procjeni stanja okoliša u obalnim zonama pod antropogenim opterećenjem-MicroLink Ines Sviličić Petrić IP-2020-02-6510 HRZZ
Depositing User:	Dr Ines Sviličić Petrić
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2024 13:46
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/9056
DOI:	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116649

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