Review
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Fernandez-Martinez, J. Barquin, N. Bonada, M. Cantonati, C. Churro, J. Corbera, C. Delgado, M. Dulsat-Masvidal, G. Garcia, O. Margalef, R. Pascual, J. Penuelas, C. Preece, F. Sabater, H. Seiler, J. M. Zamora-Marin, E. Romero
Summary: This paper provides a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems and highlights the main threats these ecosystems face, such as changes in climate patterns and increasing human pressures.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elsa Breton, Urania Christaki, Benoit Sautour, Oscar Demonio, Dimitra-Ioli Skouroliakou, Gregory Beaugrand, Laurent Seuront, Loick Kleparski, Adrien Poquet, Antoine Nowaczyk, Muriel Crouvoisier, Sophie Ferreira, David Pecqueur, Christophe Salmeron, Jean-Michel Brylinski, Arnaud Lheureux, Eric Goberville
Summary: The study reveals that seasonal succession of diatoms and copepods is driven by trade-offs among functional traits controlled by seasonal abiotic and biotic pressure. A trade-off between competition and predation plays a key role in promoting plankton species richness and triggering Phaeocystis blooms. Biotic homogenization of the copepod community and a shift in copepod diet towards Phaeocystis detrital materials were detected during the bloom.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aude Beauger, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Pierre Gosseaume, Christelle Blavignac, Lory-Anne Baker, Carlos E. E. Wetzel
Summary: This study evaluates the biodiversity of 79 mineral saline springs in the French Massif Central, focusing on species richness and diatom community composition. Physical and chemical factors were found to influence the richness and communities of diatoms, with hardness and certain ions being critical drivers of diatom community composition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Margaux Dupuy, Emilie Garel, Frederic Huneau, Sebastien Santoni, Maria Di Rosa, Alexandra Mattei
Summary: This study uses a combination of geochemical, isotopic, and geothermometry tools to identify various processes at the origin of diverse thermal and mineral waters, and to create the first conceptual groundwater-flow model.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gerardo Jimenez-Navarro, Javier Rodriguez-Perez, Nereida Melguizo-Ruiz, Bruno Silva, Sasha Vasconcelos, Pedro Beja, Francisco Moreira, Rui Morgado, Silvia Barreiro, Jose M. Herrera
Summary: Assessing the impact of agricultural intensification on species and communities is crucial for biodiversity conservation. This study investigated the seasonal effects of olive grove intensification on birds and bats at both local and landscape scales. The findings showed that olive grove intensification had a negative impact on the abundance of the majority of species analyzed, especially birds, and the effect varied across seasons.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aude Beauger, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Clotilde Bertin, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Lory-Anne Baker, Sofia Kolovi, David Biron, Luc Ector
Summary: A new species of Chamaepinnularia, named Chamaepinnularia salina, was discovered during a survey of mineral springs in the French Massif Central region. This species has distinct morphological characteristics and prefers mineral springs with a Na-K-HCO3 water type.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Helene Celle, Olivier Voldoire, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Luc Ector, Vincent Breton, David G. Biron, Gilles Mailhot, Jean-Luc Devidal, Aude Beauger
Summary: This study analyzes the information of water and diatoms in the Massif Central in order to improve knowledge of biodiversity and species autecology. The results show that the geochemical facies, water origin, and dissolved solids influence the taxonomic composition of diatoms, while water temperature and the radioactive isotope Rn-222 affect the distribution and richness of diatom species.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Fabio Sitzia, Carla Lisci, Jose Mirao
Summary: The maintenance plan of ancient and contemporary buildings today is strategically important and involves identifying the climatic environment of the structures. Researchers are assessing building material response to weathering through accelerated aging tests, though this approach is criticized. This study aims to simulate realistic environmental conditions affecting building stone materials and has observed significant deterioration in samples subjected to accelerated cycles.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Carmen Lopez-Rodriguez, Antonia D. Asencio, Rosa M. Meijide, Enrique Torres
Summary: The species composition of cyanobacteria in six thermo-mineral springs in Galicia, Spain, was studied. The results showed that the temperature of the springs had the most significant influence on the composition of cyanobacterial assemblages. There were diverse cyanobacterial species in the springs with different temperatures, and some species were common to multiple springs. However, there were significant differences in cyanobacterial communities between different sites, making it difficult to establish a characteristic cyanobacterial flora for the thermo-mineral waters of the Galician springs.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Giuseppina G. Lai, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, Antonella Luglie, Bachisio M. Padedda
Summary: This study assessed the environmental drivers of benthic diatom assemblages in thermo-mineral springs and found that temperature and conductivity significantly influence the composition, richness, diversity, and evenness of diatom communities.
FRESHWATER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Skander Setiti, Boualem Hamdi, Safia Chernai, Fouzia Houma Bachari, Samir Bachouche, Yousra Ghezali, Giuseppe Suaria
Summary: This study investigated the presence of microplastics in coastal waters near Algeria, revealing the predominance of fibers, fragments, films, foams, and granules. Qualitative analysis through ATR-FTIR showed that the microplastics were mainly composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and other polymers. The data provided an initial overview of the quantity, characteristics, and spatial-temporal distribution of floating microplastics in the Bou-Ismail Bay (Algeria).
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Giuseppina G. Lai, Bachisio M. Padedda, Carlos E. Wetzel
Summary: In this study, a new species, Dorofeyukea ectoriana sp. nov., was described based on diatom samples collected from a small thermo-mineral spring in Sardinia, Italy. The morphological features of the species were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy, and compared with other known species in the genus Dorofeyukea. Dorofeyukea ectoriana was found in slightly alkaline waters with a sodium-chloride composition, medium-high mineralization level, and enrichment of fluoride and phosphorus.
Article
Oceanography
Michael R. Stukel, Oscar M. E. Schofield, Hugh W. Ducklow
Summary: The study investigated seasonal variability in thorium and carbon cycles at a coastal site in the Western Antarctic Peninsula using U-238-Th-234 disequilibrium method. Results showed that fecal pellets (mainly from krill) were the primary contributors to carbon flux, and their lower C:Th-234 ratios influenced variability in sinking materials. Additionally, suspended particles had highly variable C:Th-234 ratios and were consistently elevated in the euphotic zone.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marina Zamanillo, Eva Ortega-Retuerta, Carolina Cisternas-Novoa, Celia Marrase, Carles Pelejero, Josep Pascual, Josep M. Gasol, Anja Engel, Rafel Simo
Summary: The dynamics and distribution of TEP and CSP are uncoupled both in the coastal sites and along the transect, suggesting that they are different types of particles produced and consumed differently in response to environmental variability.
ELEMENTA-SCIENCE OF THE ANTHROPOCENE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Diego F. Figueroa
Summary: This study demonstrates that the zooplankton community in the Galapagos is highly structured by regional differences in productivity patterns and advective sources. Two contrasting marine environments were observed in the Galapagos: a nutrient-rich upwelling system in the west and a non-upwelling system in the east. The spatial structuring of zooplankton varies seasonally, with distinct copepod communities in western, central, and southeastern regions.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, David G. Biron, Fanny Millan, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Elisabeth Allain, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector, Aude Beauger
Summary: This study investigated the ecological metrics and composition of diatom assemblages in mineral springs, and found that environmental location explained a significantly higher portion of diatom composition variability than substrate.
Article
Plant Sciences
Danijela Vidakovic, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, Jelena Krizmanic, Bojan Gavrilovic, Biljana Dojcinovic, Milos Ciric
Summary: In this study, a new species, Nitzschia haloserbica, is described from alkaline saline ponds and channels in Serbia. It differs from Nitzschia austriaca in terms of striae density and fibulae distribution. The relative abundance of the two species also varies at the type locality.
CRYPTOGAMIE ALGOLOGIE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bart Van de Vijver, David M. Williams, Tanja M. Schuster, Wolf-Henning Kusber, Marco Cantonati, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector
Summary: In this study, the former Synedra rumpens complex was investigated, and it was concluded that all infraspecific taxa should be split from Fragilaria rumpens. New combinations and new species were proposed based on the observations of various diatom taxa.
Article
Plant Sciences
Diba A. Khan-Bureau, Saul Blanco, Eduardo A. Morales, Luc Ector, Michael S. Beauchene, Louise A. Lewis
Summary: This research used geometric morphometrics analysis to successfully distinguish between two populations of Didymosphenia in the Farmington River, Connecticut, and confirmed the identity of the second population as D. geminata. The study highlights the enhanced ability of geometric morphometrics, in combination with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, to differentiate between morphologically similar species of Didymosphenia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppina G. Lai, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector, Antonella Luglie, Bachisio M. Padedda
Summary: This study analyzed diatom assemblages in thermal springs in Sardinia, Italy, and found that low discharge, ecotonal properties, and natural and human disturbances significantly affect the composition of the aquatic communities. Springs connected to rivers and with higher disturbance levels exhibited higher species richness and diversity, while isolated springs harbored smaller pools of taxa with specific habitat preferences or restricted distributions. Environmental variables such as water temperature, river influence, and nutrients also played a major role in shaping the diatom assemblages.
Article
Limnology
Martina Austoni, Angela Boggero, Lyudmila Kamburska, Antonella Luglie, Aldo Marchetto, Alessandro Oggioni, Bachisio M. Padedda, Pietro Volta, Silvia Zaupa
Summary: This article presents a georeferenced dataset of a biological survey conducted in lakes and reservoirs in the Piedmont and Sardinia regions of Italy. The survey aimed to test the standardized protocols adopted by the Italian Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea for assessing the ecological status of lakes and the ecological potential of reservoirs.
JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Aude Beauger, So fia Kolovi, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Vincent Breton, Patrick Chardon, Didier Miallier, Celine Bailly, Gilles Montavon, Agnes Bouchez, Frederic Rimet, Cecile Chardon, Valentin Vasselon, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, David G. Biron
Summary: Little is known about the low dose effects of radiation on microbial communities in the environment. This study used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the genetic richness, diversity, and structure of diatom communities in 16 mineral springs in the Massif Central, France, and found that geographical location and 238U were the main factors influencing ASVs distribution and diatom ASV structure. The genetic variant of Planothidium frequentissimum associated with high levels of 238U may serve as a bio-indicator of high natural uranium levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cheran Radhakrishnan, Sudipta Kumar Das, Carlos E. Wetzel, Balasubramanian Karthick
Summary: We describe a new species of Adlafia called Adlafia kociolekii from aerial habitats in Sikkim, India. The species was observed and described based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations. The main diagnostic features of this species include clear elliptical valves, a narrow axial area at the centre, radiate to convergent striation, and a distinctive Voigt discontinuity at both apices. The ultrastructure of this species, including the presence of a raphe on the elevated sternum, distal raphe ends deflected to opposite sides of proximal ends, and distal ends terminating in long and thickened helictoglossae, distinguishes it as a new species. The species was also found in wet walls and freshwater habitats in northeast India. Morphological features of this species were compared with closely similar taxa of Adlafia and other naviculoid genera.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bart Van De Vijver, Britt Gogne, Gabrielle Hoogsteyns, Levente Van De Velde, Luna Vlaminck, Sija A. Kabota, Lies Teunen, Carlos E. Wetzel
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olena P. P. Bilous, Inna Nezbrytska, Vladyslav Zhezherya, Serhii Dubniak, Svitlana Batoh, Taras Kazantsev, Oleksandr Polishchuk, Tetyana Zhezherya, Tetyana Leontieva, Marco Cantonati
Summary: Climate change and nutrient pollution have led to increasing frequency, duration, and toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms worldwide. This study investigates whether aquatic vascular plants can inhibit or reduce the massive development of cyanobacteria in reservoirs. The results indicate that floating-leaf plants and free-floating plants may not be statistically effective in controlling cyanobacterial blooms in reservoir ecosystems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aude Beauger, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Pierre Gosseaume, Christelle Blavignac, Lory-Anne Baker, Carlos E. E. Wetzel
Summary: This study evaluates the biodiversity of 79 mineral saline springs in the French Massif Central, focusing on species richness and diatom community composition. Physical and chemical factors were found to influence the richness and communities of diatoms, with hardness and certain ions being critical drivers of diatom community composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Helene Celle, Olivier Voldoire, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Luc Ector, Vincent Breton, David G. Biron, Gilles Mailhot, Jean-Luc Devidal, Aude Beauger
Summary: This study analyzes the information of water and diatoms in the Massif Central in order to improve knowledge of biodiversity and species autecology. The results show that the geochemical facies, water origin, and dissolved solids influence the taxonomic composition of diatoms, while water temperature and the radioactive isotope Rn-222 affect the distribution and richness of diatom species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bart van de Vijver, Tanja M. Schuster, Wolf-Henning Kusber, Bryan Kennedy, Paul B. Hamilton, Raino-Lars Albert, Petra Ballings, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector
Summary: This paper provides a detailed description of the morphology of European Brachysira serians and the B. brebissonii-intermedia complex, reevaluates the type material, and describes two new species to clarify the taxonomic identity.
