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Recent Trends Towards Oligotrophication of the Northern Adriatic: Evidence from Chlorophyll a Time Series

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Abstract

The results of the updated and quality-checked data base of field observations on chlorophyll a (Chl a) collected in the period 1970–2007 in the Northern Adriatic Sea are presented. From the last decade, SeaWiFS satellite information was also considered. Results demonstrate a global tendency towards Chl a reduction in the period of investigation, which is more marked in the eutrophic area under the influence of the Po River. In the rest of the basin, which presents meso- or oligotrophic characteristics, long-term changes are more difficult to detect. The long-term field dataset can be divided into two periods: the last decade characterized by the strong decrease observed in the whole northern Adriatic and the earlier period with no or slight increase. The recent substantial reduction of Chl a concentrations is confirmed all over the basin (−0.11 mg m−3 year−1) from satellite-derived information. Results are consistent with recently evidenced decrease in concentrations of phosphate and ammonia and point to the existence of oligotrophication in the Northern Adriatic. Results indicate forcefully that the still common perception of the Adriatic Sea as a very eutrophic basin is no longer appropriate, at least for its northern part and in recent years.

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Acknowledgments

The data on satellite chlorophyll a distribution used in this study were acquired using the GES-DISC Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (Giovanni) as part of NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) Data and Information Services Centre (DISC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biology Station, National Institute of Biology, Fornace 41, 6330, Piran, Slovenia

    Patricija Mozetič & Janja Francé

  2. The National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/c, 34010, Sgonico, TS, Italy

    Cosimo Solidoro, Gianpiero Cossarini & Cinzia De Vittor

  3. ISMAR CNR, Castello 1364/A, 30122, Venice, Italy

    Giorgio Socal & Franco Bianchi

  4. Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, G. Paliage 5, 52210, Rovinj, Croatia

    Robert Precali & Nenad Smodlaka

  5. Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, v. Valerio 28/A, 34143, Trieste, Italy

    Serena Fonda Umani

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  1. Patricija Mozetič
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Mozetič, P., Solidoro, C., Cossarini, G. et al. Recent Trends Towards Oligotrophication of the Northern Adriatic: Evidence from Chlorophyll a Time Series. Estuaries and Coasts 33, 362–375 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-009-9191-7

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