RESPONSE OF TWO BENTHIC COMMUNITIES (MICROPHYTOAND MACROZOOBENTHOS) TO SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE MAR PICCOLO OF TARANTO RISPOSTA DI DUE COMUNITÀ BENTONICHE (MICROFITOE MACROZOOBENTHOS) AGLI EFFETTI SINERGICI DI CONTAMINANTI NEL MAR PICCOLO DI TARANTO

In order to study the benthic ecological status of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto sediment samples were collected in June 2013 from four stations inside the two Inlets. For microphyto- and macrozoo- benthic communities total abundances were obtained and qualitative analyses were carried out to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Diversity indices were applied to benthic diatom taxa and macrofaunal species. This preliminary study showed that both the abundance and biodiversity of the investigated benthic communities were affected by sediment contamination. Moreover, the presence of stress-resistant species and very reduced abundance of some sensitive ones most likely indicates poor conditions of the benthic ecological status in the Mar Piccolo.