Parametri microbici quali indicatori dell' impatto di attività di maricoltura sull' ambiente marino.

The paper refers the results of a study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of microbial parameters (activity and abundance) as indicators of the impact of fish farming activities over the marine environment. Data obtained in water and sediment samples collected from three Sicilian mariculture sites (Castellammare, Capo d'Orlando and Sciacca) highlighted that all the microbial parameters considered were suitable in environmental impact assessment. Both microbial activity rates and abundances showed significant increases in their values at cage stations, providing evidence of the mariculture impact over the pelagic and benthic compartments. Results obtained encouraged the use of microbial parameters as indicators in fish farming monitoring.