The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy)
Stefania Nunzia Lisco1, Pasquale Acquafredda1, Salvatore Gallicchio1, Luisa Sabato2, Andrea Bonifazi3, Frine Cardone2, Giuseppe Corriero2, Maria Flavia Gravina2, Cataldo Pierri2, Massimo Moretti1,*
1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; 2Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; 3Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Roma, Italy
AbstractSabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus 1767) is a polychaete able to build bioconstructions of different thickness, size and patchiness, in intertidal and subtidal environments. Its biological features have been the object of numerous studies worldwide. The worm reefs are formed by millions of tubes built by sand and shells (whole or in fragments) bonded together with a strong glue produced by the worm itself. Hence, Sabellaria alveolata represents a sedimentological asset for the coastal protection, since it contributes to create natural barriers against storm waves and erosion, and supplies the beach with new sandy deposits. This work shows a multidisciplinary approach to studying a bioconstruction of Sabellaria alveolata along the Latium coast (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy), proposing image analysis as a novel technique to investigate worm reefs, along with classical sedimentological/ecological tools. The Sabellaria bioconstructions have been analysed at different scales of observation, suggesting the more appropriate strategies to develop a reliable model illustrating the different growth steps of these bioconstructions.
. The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy)[J]. , 2020, 9(1): 42-59.
. The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy)[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2020, 9(1): 42-59.
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