1. Phytoplankton diversity in the Northern Adriatic Sea : insights and inconsistencies from microscopy and metabarcodingGiorgia Montali, Francesca Neri, Elisa Banchi, Federica Cerino, Timotej Turk Dermastia, Janja Francé, Patricija Mozetič, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Phytoplankton plays a fundamental role in marine ecosystems and is widely used to assess environmental change. In this study, light microscopy and DNA metabarcoding approaches were used to investigate phytoplankton communities at three long-term monitoring sites in the northern Adriatic Sea. By combining the two approaches, more than 500 species were recorded. Metabarcoding detected substantially higher diversity, particularly among small and fragile organisms that are difficult to identify under a microscope, whereas microscopy was better for identifying larger species with distinctive morphology. Because species contain different amounts of genetic material, DNA data can overestimate or underestimate their true contribution to the community. Indeed, after applying correction factors that account for these differences, the DNA-based estimates became more consistent with the microscopy results for several phytoplankton groups. The differences among the samples were influenced more by the approach used than by the sampling location. Overall, combining these two approaches provides an accurate and robust picture of phytoplankton communities. In this way, it is possible to improve the reliability of marine biodiversity assessments and to support better environmental monitoring and management in coastal seas.
Keywords: phytoplankton, diversity, environmental DNA, Long-Term Ecological Research, amplicon sequencing, North Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 25.03.2026; Views: 224; Downloads: 168
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2. Microalgal communities in mucilage aggregates (Northern Adriatic Sea, summer 2024) based on microscopy and metabarcodingMarika Ubaldi, Francesca Neri, Giorgia Montali, Tiziana Romagnoli, Aurora Tomasini, Federica Cerino, Timotej Turk Dermastia, Patricija Mozetič, Janja Francé, Camilla Spoto, Stefano Accoroni, Cecilia Totti, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The mucilage phenomenon consists of the appearance of large gelatinous aggregates floating in the water column. In summer 2024, this event has reappeared in the Northern Adriatic Sea (NAS) on a large scale. This study provides an integrated characterization of the microalgal community within mucilage aggregates and surrounding waters in two NAS areas (Gulf of Trieste and Conero Riviera) using light microscopy (LM), metabarcoding (MB) based on ribosomal 18S V4 and V9 markers, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for selected taxa identification. Mucilage aggregates acted as dynamic microbial hotspots, hosting a rich diatom community, with abundances 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than in the surrounding water. Dominant diatom species were Cylindrotheca closterium, Nitzschia spp., Nitzschia gobbii, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. Some phytoflagellates (e.g., Tetraselmis spp.) and dinoflagellates (e.g., Karlodinium veneficum, Pseliodinium fusus, and Wangodinium sinense) were detected exclusively by MB, while LM and SEM revealed species missed by other approaches. Gonyaulax fragilis, one of the species indicated as an important mucus producer, was present at the onset and throughout the phenomenon, as detected by LM and MB. The integrated approach improves knowledge of microalgal communities in NAS mucilage.
Keywords: mucilage, Northern Adriatic Sea, phytoplankton, microalgae, metabarcoding, microscopy, Gonyaulax fragilis, Harmful Algal Blooms
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 366; Downloads: 296
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3. Unveiling microalgal diversity in Slovenian transitional waters (Adriatic Sea) : a first step toward ecological status assessmentPetra Slavinec, Janja Francé, Ana Fortič, Patricija Mozetič, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of microalgal diversity in two Slovenian transitional waters (TWs): the shallow brackish lagoon of the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve (SZNR) and the Rižana River estuary within the Port of Koper (PK) area. Between 2018 and 2021, water samples collected with a phytoplankton net were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. In total, 240 species from 117 genera were identified in TW, dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates, surpassing the diversity at a marine coastal station (91 species, 59 genera). Species richness was higher in PK (226) than in SZNR (154), mainly due to dinoflagellates and coccolithophores. Marine taxa predominated along the salinity gradient, with moderate contributions from brackish taxa and fewfreshwater forms, reflecting both natural and anthropogenic influences. Planktonic taxa dominated at all sites, while benthic forms were abundant in the lagoon, particularly in spring. Thirty-two taxa were recorded for the first time in Slovenian TW, mostly benthic or tychopelagic diatoms. The detection of Coolia monotis and five cyanobacterial genera with potentially harmful traits highlights the role of TW as an ecological interface. The taxonomic sufficiency analysis showed that the order level is sufficient to distinguish transitional from marine assemblages, beyond which ecological information is lost. Overall, this study highlights the importance of detailed taxonomic resolution for detecting microalgal diversity, including harmful and non-indigenous species to ensure robust ecological assessments under the WFD and MSFD directives.
Keywords: transitional waters, diversity, phytoplankton, harmful algal blooms, non-indigenous species, Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 367; Downloads: 352
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4. Development and field testing of a cavitation-based robotic platform for sustainable in-water hull cleaningUroš Puc, Andreja Abina, Edvin Salvi, Vlado Malačič, Janja Francé, Riccardo Zanelli, Aleksander Zidanšek, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Biofouling on ship hulls significantly increases hydrodynamic drag, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, while also facilitating the spread of invasive species in regional and global waters, thereby threatening marine biodiversity. To address these environmental and economic issues, we developed an innovative robotic platform for in-water hull cleaning. The platform utilizes a cavitation-based cleaning module that removes biofouling while minimizing hull surface damage and preventing the spread of detached particles into the marine environment. This paper describes the design, operation, and testing of a developed robotic cleaning system prototype. Emphasis is placed on integrating components and sensors for continuous monitoring of key seawater parameters (temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, etc.) before, during, and after underwater cleaning. Results from real-sea trials show the platform’s effectiveness in removing biofouling and its minimal environmental impact, confirming its potential as a sustainable solution for in-water hull cleaning.
Keywords: biofouling, ship hulls, in-water cleaning, undewater robot, sensor integration, field testing
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 326; Downloads: 213
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5. Zaključno poročilo o izvajanju monitoringa bioloških elementov kakovosti ekološkega stanja morja v 2024Janja Francé, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Borut Mavrič, Valentina Pitacco, Domen Trkov, final research report Keywords: monitoring, biološki elementi kakovosti, stanje, morje, Škocjanski zatok
Published in DiRROS: 28.05.2025; Views: 841; Downloads: 324
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6. Prototype of aggregation data prepared and demonstrated for stakeholders : milestone MS5.3Ángel Borja, Iratxe Menchaca, Borut Mavrič, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Janja Francé, Olja Vidjak, Sanda Skejić, Maria Calvo Uyarra, 2020, final research report Keywords: marine strategy, indicators, reference situations, integration rules
Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 899; Downloads: 0
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7. Report on the Adriatic Sea and Western Mediterranean Pilot studies : Deliverable D7.1 & D7.2Saša Raicevich, Itziar Alvarez, Francesca Ronchi, Manuel Hidalgo, Marina Pulcini, Michele Giani, Elisa Giubilato, Tomaso Fortibuoni, Janja Francé, 2021, final research report Keywords: marine strategy, descriptors, pilot studies, methodology
Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 1050; Downloads: 0
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8. Results of the test of different methodological approaches for GES evaluation based on D5 criteria on case studies at sub basin scale : deliverable D6.6Michele Giani, Martina Kralj, Alexandra Pavlidou, Ioanna Varkitzi, Ángel Borja, Marina Lipizer, Jean-François Cadiou, Janja Francé, Francesco Cozzoli, Erika Magaletti, 2021, final research report Keywords: marine strategy, eutrophication, good environmental status, methodology
Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 1021; Downloads: 0
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9. Proposal for a standard approach for D5 : deliverable D6.7Michele Giani, Martina Kralj, Lidia Urbini, Marina Lipizer, Elena Partescano, Ángel Borja, Jean-François Cadiou, Janja Francé, Erika Magaletti, Alexandra Pavlidou, 2021, final research report Keywords: marine strategy, eutrophication, regional cooperation, methodology
Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 1053; Downloads: 0
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10. ABIOMMED Final Progress Report : deliverable D1.4Kalliopi Pagou, Nikos Streftaris, Louisa Giannoudi, Arianna Azzellino, Roberto Carlucci, Giulia Cipriano, Emmanouil Dassenakis, Janja Francé, Katja Klančnik Židan, Borut Mavrič, 2024, final research report Keywords: biodiversity, pelagic habitats, benthic habitats, marine mammals, socio-economic analysis
Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2025; Views: 861; Downloads: 3
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