Algal assemblages response to fish-farm biodeposition in a Southern Mediterranean area (Gulf of Castellammare, Sicily): preliminary data

Abstract

This study, carried out in the Gulf of Castellammare (northern coast of Sicily), concerns the effects of fish-farm nutrient enrichment on the algal assemblage growing on artificial substrata of cages. A total of 51 taxa were identified (3 Cyanophyceae, 3 Phaeophyceae, 5 Bacillariophyceae, 3 Chlorophyceae, 6 Ulvophyceae and 31 Rhodophyceae). A dominance of opportunistic species was highlighted, following a gradient from impact areas to controls.