Field techniques

In Portonovo I sampled pelagic phyto-plankton using a specific net with a mesh size of 20 µm. After the measurement of the physical parameter salinity and temperature, the phytoplankton net is pulled 8 times along a 10 m long pier in the superficial water. Afterward, the samples are transferred in sampling containers and transported to the university for identifying the microalgae. In the laboratory, the samples were divided into 2 mL sub-samples and the diatom and dinoflagellate species are identified using an inverse microscope.

A sampling activity of epiphytic phytoplankton was carried out at Passetto in Ancona. For this purpose, three individuals of Dictyota dichotoma and their surrounding water are covered with a plastic bag and closed underwater. For further nutrient analysis, three replicates of water are taken using a filter syringe and 500 mL pelagic phytoplankton is collected. Analogous to previous sampling procedures, physical parameters are taken using a salinometer.

Terrestrial microalgae were sampled by removing the upper surface with the species at buildings of the university and sampling in the city center of Ancona from historical buildings using cotton sticks to prevent damages. Due to the high biomass of microalgae because of the moisture at the scarp of Passetto beach, algae could be easily taken with a pincette.