Algal resources in polluted sites of the northern Adriatic (vicinity of Piran)

Abstract

       The benthic algal vegetation of the North Adriatic shelf area was impoverished in biomass, floristic diversity and main associations of fucoid algae. These changes are conditioned by the increased eutrophication of the area as well as river-born and direct industrial and domestic effluents. In spite of these changes the northern Adriatic still represents a resource of algal raw material, which could be exploited on a minor scale, mainly in food - and pharmaceutical industry.

      With this in mind a survey of the main vegetation patterns and algal biomass is given, along with some data on the protein- and ascorbic acid content in some common species. Investigations were carried out in the vicinity of Piran, Gulf of Trieste.