CHAPTER 39
The Oliveri-Tindari lagoon (Messina, Italy): Evolution of the
Trophic-sedimentary Environment and Mollusc Communities in the
last Twenty Years
M. Leonardi l and S. Giacobbe 2
ABSTRACT
In the present study the evolution of the benthic ecosystem of Oliveri-Tindari (Messina, northern coast of Sicilyt is described through the examination of data collected every ten years, from
1978 up to now. In particular three cycles of investigations (1978, 1987, 1997) provided comparable information on the edaphic, trophic and biological characteristics of the area. As shown,
there has been a constant rise in the fine sedimentation occurring in the pools during these
twenty years. With regard to the trophic characteristics, a general decrease of the organic carbon content in the sediments was recorded in the second cycle of study. The trophic-sedimentary evolution caused marked changes in the structure of the benthic communities, as pointed
out by the qualitative and quantitative variations. In general a decrease in the density of the
mollusc benthic communities was observed, because of the progressive isolation of the pools.
Introduction
The Oliveri-Tindari lagoon (Fig. 1), a small
brackish system located along the Tyrrhenian
coast of Sicily (Italy), is characterized by marked
geomorphologic dynamism and high structural
and hydrobiological complexity (Leonardi and
Giacobbe in press). The particular anemological
regime of this area determines the periodical
formation of littoral bars, thus delimiting little
coastal pools (Brambati 1988). At present, the
system is constituted of six pools, formed in different periods of the last century (Amore and
Randazzo in press).
The heterogeneity of allochthonous inputs
(Azzaro 1995; Leonardi et al. in press), with the
reciprocal isolation of the basins and the progressive confInement (sense of Guelorget and
Perthuisot 1983; Giacobbe et al. 1990), have
determined a very high hydrological differentiation among the pools, as shown by nutrients and
salinity values. In particular the most confIned
pools (A. B, C). where the continental inputs are
more important, have always shown lower salinity than the outermost ones (D. E, F) (CNR-1. T.M.
1990; Giacobbe and Leonardi 1986).
The depth is low in all basins, and the maximum value was found in the Marinello pool
(4.20 m).
Because of its natural and ecological exclusiveness, this ecosystem has been the subject of numerous studies in the last fifty years (Abbruzzese and
Arico 1955; Crisafi 1961; Faranda et al. 1975;
Genovese 1964; Giacobbe and Giordano 1975;
Giacobbe et al. 1992).
In this paper we compare three cycles of
investigations. which have provided useful information to describe the edaphic, trophic and faunal evolution of this area in the last twenty years.
In particular we carried out the first investigation in 1978, the second in 1987, and the last one
in 19971'98, in the framework of a multidisciplinary project {Progetto Finalizzato Beni Culturali
C.N.R.}, aimed at protection, exploitation, and
management of this complex ecosystem.
Materials and Methods
The sediment samplings were seasonal in 1978
and 1987, whereas they were monthly in 1997,
but in this paper we refer only to the winter data
of the three sampling series, since we have the
most complete and comparable data in this peri1 Istituto Sperimentale Talassografico, CNR, Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy
2 Dipartimento di Biologia Animale cd &ologia Marina, Universita di Messina. Salita Papardo, 98100 Messina, Italy
F.M. Faranda, L. Guglielmo, G. Spezie (eds)
Mediterranean Ecosystems: Structures and Processes
© Springer-VerJag Italia 2001
The Oliveri-Tindari lagoon (Messina, Italy): Evolution of the
Trophic-sedimentary Environment and Mollusc Communities in the
last Twenty Years
M. Leonardi l and S. Giacobbe 2
ABSTRACT
In the present study the evolution of the benthic ecosystem of Oliveri-Tindari (Messina, northern coast of Sicilyt is described through the examination of data collected every ten years, from
1978 up to now. In particular three cycles of investigations (1978, 1987, 1997) provided comparable information on the edaphic, trophic and biological characteristics of the area. As shown,
there has been a constant rise in the fine sedimentation occurring in the pools during these
twenty years. With regard to the trophic characteristics, a general decrease of the organic carbon content in the sediments was recorded in the second cycle of study. The trophic-sedimentary evolution caused marked changes in the structure of the benthic communities, as pointed
out by the qualitative and quantitative variations. In general a decrease in the density of the
mollusc benthic communities was observed, because of the progressive isolation of the pools.
Introduction
The Oliveri-Tindari lagoon (Fig. 1), a small
brackish system located along the Tyrrhenian
coast of Sicily (Italy), is characterized by marked
geomorphologic dynamism and high structural
and hydrobiological complexity (Leonardi and
Giacobbe in press). The particular anemological
regime of this area determines the periodical
formation of littoral bars, thus delimiting little
coastal pools (Brambati 1988). At present, the
system is constituted of six pools, formed in different periods of the last century (Amore and
Randazzo in press).
The heterogeneity of allochthonous inputs
(Azzaro 1995; Leonardi et al. in press), with the
reciprocal isolation of the basins and the progressive confInement (sense of Guelorget and
Perthuisot 1983; Giacobbe et al. 1990), have
determined a very high hydrological differentiation among the pools, as shown by nutrients and
salinity values. In particular the most confIned
pools (A. B, C). where the continental inputs are
more important, have always shown lower salinity than the outermost ones (D. E, F) (CNR-1. T.M.
1990; Giacobbe and Leonardi 1986).
The depth is low in all basins, and the maximum value was found in the Marinello pool
(4.20 m).
Because of its natural and ecological exclusiveness, this ecosystem has been the subject of numerous studies in the last fifty years (Abbruzzese and
Arico 1955; Crisafi 1961; Faranda et al. 1975;
Genovese 1964; Giacobbe and Giordano 1975;
Giacobbe et al. 1992).
In this paper we compare three cycles of
investigations. which have provided useful information to describe the edaphic, trophic and faunal evolution of this area in the last twenty years.
In particular we carried out the first investigation in 1978, the second in 1987, and the last one
in 19971'98, in the framework of a multidisciplinary project {Progetto Finalizzato Beni Culturali
C.N.R.}, aimed at protection, exploitation, and
management of this complex ecosystem.
Materials and Methods
The sediment samplings were seasonal in 1978
and 1987, whereas they were monthly in 1997,
but in this paper we refer only to the winter data
of the three sampling series, since we have the
most complete and comparable data in this peri1 Istituto Sperimentale Talassografico, CNR, Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy
2 Dipartimento di Biologia Animale cd &ologia Marina, Universita di Messina. Salita Papardo, 98100 Messina, Italy
F.M. Faranda, L. Guglielmo, G. Spezie (eds)
Mediterranean Ecosystems: Structures and Processes
© Springer-VerJag Italia 2001