Impatto dello scarico di fanghi portuali sulle comunità bentoniche di fondo mobile (Nord Adriatico)

The potential impact on benthic community was investigated before, during and at the end of the disposal of 200.000 m3 of Ancona Harbour sludge in an open-sea discharge area. A slow stress seemed to affect the benthic organisms living within the area, although it was difficult to separate dumping effects from natural variations in a dynamic coastal area.