Ecological Monitoring
Ecological monitoring is conducted at several gulfs on the Greek coasts where intensive bivalve harvesting from wild or farmed populations is observed. The BIVALVIANET aims to record environmental changes by region and to predict the impacts of human activities on the economically important bivalve species. Our research projects include the monitoring of several environmental stressors.
Chemicals
Several Greek coasts are threatened by agricultural and industrial pollution. However, the range of chemical parameters that have the potential to affect any ecosystem is very large. Moreover, in the last 20 years, synthetic hormone analogues, halogenated hydrocarbons, microplastics, greenhouse gases, and many others factors will impact living organisms, thus requiring emergent monitoring strategies. The accumulation of chemicals in the water and body of bivalves is under study.
Nutrients
Nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) are essential to the health of marine organisms, including bivalves. In excess, however, any nutrient can be harmful. On the other hand, eutrophication in aquatic systems, particularly due to excess nitrogen and phosphorous contamination, is a major water quality issue. For example, nutrient inputs into an estuary can decrease dissolved oxygen concentrations, thus causing hypoxic conditions for bivalve species.
Nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) are essential to the health of marine organisms, including bivalves. In excess, however, any nutrient can be harmful. On the other hand, eutrophication in aquatic systems, particularly due to excess nitrogen and phosphorous contamination, is a major water quality issue. For example, nutrient inputs into an estuary can decrease dissolved oxygen concentrations, thus causing hypoxic conditions for bivalve species.
Biological
For biological stressors (e.g. invasive species), exposure analysis may evaluate their entry, dispersal, survival, and reproduction. Populations' dynamic interactions, between invasive and native species, may be important and it needs further consideration. Because biological stressors can reproduce, interact with other organisms, and evolve over time, exposure and effects can be difficult to quantify. In this context, invasive species are under study. Specifically we are monitoring the appearance of invasive ascidian species in mussel farming and how they impact mussels' physiology.
For biological stressors (e.g. invasive species), exposure analysis may evaluate their entry, dispersal, survival, and reproduction. Populations' dynamic interactions, between invasive and native species, may be important and it needs further consideration. Because biological stressors can reproduce, interact with other organisms, and evolve over time, exposure and effects can be difficult to quantify. In this context, invasive species are under study. Specifically we are monitoring the appearance of invasive ascidian species in mussel farming and how they impact mussels' physiology.
Pathogens and bivalve populations
In the context of climate change, outbreaks of infectious diseases and parasitism are expected to become more frequent. Accordingly, pathogens are a primary focus, including bacteria, parasites, and HABs in the water and the soft body of bivalves. Monitoring strategies are applied to relate increased bivalve mortalities with diseases. Our research is also focused on the aetiology of Pinna nobilis extinction. Populations are recorded and seasonal observations are conducted to assess the impacts of environmental changes on populations dynamics.
In the context of climate change, outbreaks of infectious diseases and parasitism are expected to become more frequent. Accordingly, pathogens are a primary focus, including bacteria, parasites, and HABs in the water and the soft body of bivalves. Monitoring strategies are applied to relate increased bivalve mortalities with diseases. Our research is also focused on the aetiology of Pinna nobilis extinction. Populations are recorded and seasonal observations are conducted to assess the impacts of environmental changes on populations dynamics.
Core parameters
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Temperature
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Salinity
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Oxygen
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Phosphate, Total Phosphorus
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Silicate
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pH, Alkalinity
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Chlorophyll a
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Secchi depths
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Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium, Total Nitrogen
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Hydrogen Sulphide