First detection of Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora, Bolinopsidae) in Sardinia (S'Ena Arrubia Lagoon, Western Mediterranean): a threat for local fishery and species recruitment

The invasive comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi is a lobate ctenophore native of coastal and estuarine waters of the temperate western Atlantic Ocean. In the last decades this species has expanded its range of distribution, colonizing marine and transitional environments in Europe. In October 2015, during a survey fishing the European eel Anguilla anguilla in Sardinia (western Mediterranean), a massive bloom of this specie was observed in the eutrophic S'Ena Arrubia Lagoon for the first time. In November 2015, sampling was conducted at three stations in the lagoon and in a fyke net, in order to estimate the abundance of M. leidyi and to determine its impact on the fishing activity. The results showed an abundance of 2.83 ctenophores m-3. Specimens were all adults, measuring 18 - 62 mm total length. The abundant number of ctenophores (6837 individuals per fyke net) damaged fishing operations, reducing catches and affecting the performance of fishing gears. Since there is no effective mechanical, chemical or biological method to counter M. leidyi, the short term economic damage may be approached by new management measures of fisheries. In addition, other actions against the recurring of M. leidyi invasion, can include management strategies, in particular those finalized to reduce the high trophic state of the lagoon

Italian multicenter study on infection hazards during dental practice: Control of environmental microbial contamination in public dental surgeries

Background. The present study assessed microbial contamination in Italian dental surgeries. Methods. An evaluation of water, air and surface microbial contamination in 102 dental units was carried out in eight Italian cities. Results. The findings showed water microbial contamination in all the dental surgeries; the proportion of water samples with microbial levels above those recommended decreased during working. With regard to Legionella spp., the proportion of positive samples was 33.3%. During work activity, the index of microbial air contamination (IMA) increased. The level of microbial accumulation on examined surfaces did not change over time. Conclusion. These findings confirm that some Italian dental surgeries show high biocontamination, as in other European Countries, which highlights the risk of occupational exposure and the need to apply effective measures to reduce microbial loads

Studies on Italian reservoirs

The main morphometric and water quality characteristics of the 221 Italian reservoirs covering an area of at least 0.2 km2 is given. Most of the reservoirs are used for drinking water purposes, especially on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, where the more important cases of eutrophication have been found. These situations are examined in greater detail, with regard to algal population dynamics, the phosphorus budget and the comparison between theoretical and experimental nutrients loads. -from Author

Species composition, density and biomass of coccolithophorids in the Istanbul Strait, Turkey

A first report of the coccolithophorid flora in the phytoplankton of the Istanbul Strait is presented in this paper. Samples were taken with a Nansen bottle at three depths (surface, -5 in, 10 m), on the coast of Istanbul Strait, considering four different areas: Uskudar, Cengelkoy, Kanlica and Beykoz during May 97 and August 1998. Density, biomass and total phytoplankton chlorophyll a content were calculated. During the study period, some physical and chemical parameters were measured. A total of five species of coccolithophorids were observed at sites, however considerable differences were observed in the seasonal fluctuations of density and biomass. A bloom was observed during May 1997. Calyptrosphaera species was the most dominated species followed by Anacanthoica acanthos (Shiller) Deflandre. Biomass, quantified as biovolume, showed a well-defined seasonal pattern