Aquatic mosses can be used as biological filters, reducing nitrogenous compounds, heavy metals and nanoparticles in solution through absorption and uptake. They also represent an effective mechanic filter for particles in water streams. Over time, however, the biofiltering efficiency can be compromised by the formation of a biofilm dominated by filamentous algae and cyanobacteria (biofouling). The biofilm can obstruct the spaces between mosses’ talli and reduce the flow of water through the filter. To maintain the permeability of the mosses biomass, it would be advisable to associate this with organisms capable of reducing biofouling. In this study (Project fish RISE; PON 2014/20 ARS01_01053), two Mediterranean aquatic crustaceans, the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda and the isopod Lekanesphaera monodi, were tested for their ability to reduce the amount of contaminating algae present on the surface of the moss Leptodictyum riparium, a cosmopolitan species, common in Italy. The two crustaceans were allowed to feed on contaminated L. riparium fragments under laboratory conditions; subsequently, the fragments of moss were observed under a confocal fluorescence microscope. From the analysis it was possible to deduce that the two species of crustaceans have a different feeding behaviour. L. monodi feeds preferentially on the biofilm without affecting the moss, demonstrating that it may represent a good candidate organism for preserving the moss permeability and its effectiveness as a biofilter.
Use of Mediterranean aquatic crustaceans to reduce biofouling on aquatic moss-based biofilters
Del Piano I.;Letizia F.;Doria L.;Anglana C.;Barozzi F.;Mancini F.;Mancinelli G.;Di Sansebastiano G. P.
2023-01-01
Abstract
Aquatic mosses can be used as biological filters, reducing nitrogenous compounds, heavy metals and nanoparticles in solution through absorption and uptake. They also represent an effective mechanic filter for particles in water streams. Over time, however, the biofiltering efficiency can be compromised by the formation of a biofilm dominated by filamentous algae and cyanobacteria (biofouling). The biofilm can obstruct the spaces between mosses’ talli and reduce the flow of water through the filter. To maintain the permeability of the mosses biomass, it would be advisable to associate this with organisms capable of reducing biofouling. In this study (Project fish RISE; PON 2014/20 ARS01_01053), two Mediterranean aquatic crustaceans, the amphipod Gammarus aequicauda and the isopod Lekanesphaera monodi, were tested for their ability to reduce the amount of contaminating algae present on the surface of the moss Leptodictyum riparium, a cosmopolitan species, common in Italy. The two crustaceans were allowed to feed on contaminated L. riparium fragments under laboratory conditions; subsequently, the fragments of moss were observed under a confocal fluorescence microscope. From the analysis it was possible to deduce that the two species of crustaceans have a different feeding behaviour. L. monodi feeds preferentially on the biofilm without affecting the moss, demonstrating that it may represent a good candidate organism for preserving the moss permeability and its effectiveness as a biofilter.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
