We investigated environmental drivers of growth and shell properties in wild and farmed Mytilus galloprovincialis along the north–central Adriatic coast (Rimini, Senigallia, and Giulianova) through seasonal sampling at artificial reefs and mussel farms. Physical, chemical, and biological parameters of the water column were integrated with biometric, physiological, molecular, and skeletal analyses, including shell porosity and bulk density of mussels to evaluate mussel responses to spatial and seasonal variability. Condition index (CI) revealed significant spatial and seasonal differences and was best explained by trophic factors, particularly dinoflagellate abundance and the small phytoplankton (<5 μm) fraction, indicating the importance of food availability and quality for physiological conditions. In contrast, skeletal properties responded primarily to salinity, pCO₂, particulate inorganic matter, and small-size phytoplankton, highlighting cumulative environmental effects on calcification. Random Forest models identified different sets of environmental drivers for CI and shell traits, suggesting partially independent environmental regulation of somatic growth and calcification. Seasonal patterns seemed to reveal trade-offs between tissue growth and skeletal investment, with higher shell porosity during winter under enhanced growth conditions and denser shells during warmer months. Differences between farmed and wild mussels further demonstrated the role of ecological context in shaping shell structural variability. These findings provided a basis for improving site selection and monitoring shell quality in Adriatic mussel aquaculture and, thereby, contributing to the sustainable management of this important species for the ecology and economy in the Adriatic area.

This study analyses long-term (1971-2023) trends in physical (temperature and salinity) and biogeochemical (chlorophyll-a and nitrate concentration) properties of bottom coastal waters in the Western Adriatic Sea. Results reveal complex patterns driven by a combination of regional hydrological shifts and broader climate change impacts. The basin was divided into North and Central-South sub-basins, focusing on winter and summer data. Over the last 53 years, Po River flow has progressively decreased especially during summer, altering hydrography and nutrient dynamics. Marked regional and seasonal divergences were observed. The North Adriatic showed summer warming (+1.05 % yr- 1), slight winter cooling (-0.27 % yr- 1), and decreased salinity in winter with a slight increase in summer. In contrast, the Central-South Adriatic exhibited stronger winter warming (+0.43 % yr- 1), weaker summer warming (+0.08 % yr- 1), increased salinity in winter and a decline in summer. Biogeochemical trends revealed strong regional and seasonal contrasts in chlorophyll-a and nitrate concentrations, with declining summer chlorophyll-a across the basin and decreases in both chlorophyll-a and nitrate in the Central-South Adriatic, consistent with a long-term, phosphorus-driven reduction in trophic conditions. This research helps to fill a critical knowledge gap concerning increasingly vulnerable and impacted coastal and bottom environments, underscoring the importance of sustained basin-wide monitoring to ensure uniform spatial and temporal coverage.

The Adriatic Observatory Network has revealed new aspects of dense water spreading in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. By integrating multiple observing infrastructures and producing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data, the network has uncovered previously unexplored features, highlighting their influence on thermohaline circulation and biogeochemical fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea, a key hot spot of climate change and biodiversity. In 2016-2017, the central Mediterranean experienced significant heat loss, reduced freshwater input, and a cyclonic phase of the Northern Ionian Gyre, which drove salty water into the Adriatic. These conditions facilitated dense water formation in the northern and southern Adriatic by shelf and open-ocean convection. The dense water formed in the north flows southward along the western continental slope, in part cascading into the southern Adriatic Pit, where it mixes with resident waters to form the Adriatic deep water, which then spreads into the Ionian Sea. Our findings revealed that the dense water exiting the Adriatic follows two distinct pathways in the Ionian: a westward branch toward the Gulf of Taranto, which contributed to the reversal of the Northern Ionian Gyre, and a southward branch toward the Kerkyra-Kefalonia Valley, spreading directly into the deep Hellenic Trench, ventilating its deep layers due to its high density and thus playing a key role in the renewal of the basin.

The year 2024 presented a series of environmental conditions that attracted the interest of the scientific community, particularly concerning alterations in the biogeochemical parameters of the Adriatic Sea. In particular, the northern Adriatic Sea experienced record-high surface temperatures, reaching 30°C near the coast of Ancona (Italy). This rise in temperature could be linked to multiple factors, including marine heatwaves and the increased occurrence of African anticyclones. The impacts of this warming are numerous, causing significant stress on the marine ecosystem, with certain fish species struggling to survive under such extreme conditions. Furthermore, a warmer sea leads to increased evaporation, raising atmospheric humidity and potentially triggering intense rainfall when cold air masses collide with the warm, humid air. In addition, in 2024, the phenomenon of mucilage was observed again along the western coast of the Adriatic Sea, something that had not been seen on such a large scale since the early 2000s. The European network of eLTER (Long-Term Ecosystem Research: https://elter-ri.eu/) stations provides long-term data that allow for the analysis of environmental variations and the identification of potential anomalies compared to historical averages. The long-term data series (1988–2024) of physical, chemical and biological parameters were analyzed to assess trends and variability in oceanographic conditions at the coastal station of the eLTER Senigallia transect and TeleSenigallia pylon, located in the northern Adriatic Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. This transect is an important monitoring site due to its distance from the Po Delta and its location within an area where the dense water mass, known as the North Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW), forms during winter and crosses the region as a bottom current. This analysis aimed to highlight and enhance our understanding of anomalies in biogeochemical processes, including seasonal and interannual changes (i.e., temperature, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton abundance). In this study, data from the coastal station (SG1) and the TeleSenigallia pylon were analyzed to assess whether 2024 exhibited significantly different biogeochemical characteristics compared to previous years (1988–2023) through the analysis of key parameters such as physical parameters (temperature, salinity), chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, nitrites, nitrates, ammonium, orthophosphates, and orthosilicates), and biological (chlorophyll-a derived from fluorescence sensor and phytoplankton abundance). For data processing, the database was divided into seasons. The temporal assessment of temperature (T) and salinity (S) shows a strong difference between the bottom layer and the surface layer in summer, when stratification is at its maximum. In winter, the two layers are more homogeneous, as expected. Along the western Adriatic coast, the impact of river plumes with freshwater is evident, varying depending on the season. The trend analysis of temperature and salinity data for the period 1988–2023 has shown a general increase in both temperature and salinity in the majority of the analyzed datasets. In particular, it has been observed that SG1 exhibits a significant increase in temperature both at the surface and at the bottom in all seasons except for summer. The increases range from 0.22% yr⁻¹ (winter, surface) to 0.66% yr⁻¹ (winter, bottom). Salinity shows a significant decrease only in spring (0.06–0.09% yr⁻¹) and increases in other seasons within a range of 0.06% yr⁻¹ (autumn, bottom) to 0.11% yr⁻¹ (autumn, surface; winter, surface). Phytoplankton trend confirmed the increase of small sized taxa reflecting the tendency to oligotrophication. Correlation analyses between nutrients (NO₃ and Si(OH)₄) and salinity carried out in different seasons have highlighted the impact of river inputs along the coast. Station SG1 shows a significant correlation with salinity in winter (surface and bottom) and autumn (surface) for both analyzed nutrients. In spring, only nitrates show a significant correlation. The preliminary temporal analysis of temperature and salinity has clearly highlighted how, over 35 years, the investigated area has undergone a marked increase in both temperature and salinity. The effects of climate change during 1988–2023 seem to impact the increase in temperature in all seasons except summer. It should be noted that sampling carried out during the summer period was often missing in August (summer holiday), when sea warming is at its maximum. Salinity has shown a significantly increasing trend in the area, except for spring, where a significant decrease has been observed near the coast. These observations seem to indicate that coastal inputs have decreased over the years due to lower precipitation. On the other hand, spring has often been characterized by extreme rainfall events and river floods. The 2024 recorded temperatures were approximately 1°C above the historical average, with anomalous summer peaks (about 30°C recorded at the end of July). The anomalies observed in 2024 could be attributed to exceptional climatic factors, such as rising atmospheric temperatures, changes in water mass circulation patterns, and variations in the rainfall regime. The preliminary results suggest that 2024 was an anomalous year compared to historical conditions, with significant ecological implications for the Northern Adriatic ecosystem. It will be crucial to continue long-term monitoring to understand whether these variations represent a new trend or a temporary fluctuation.

Extreme climate events, now more frequent, are defined by the IPCC as occurrences outside typical weather ranges. Extreme rainfall, for instance, can lead to excessive freshwater inflow into saltwater environments, disrupting ecosystems like coastal lagoons. The Mar Menor lagoon in Spain faces issues like eutrophication and habitat loss due to changing water conditions. Monitoring water quality is crucial for managing these risks. While traditional sampling methods are valuable, real-time data from buoys enables quicker responses. This study focuses on data from sampling stations and a smartbuoy in the Mar Menor lagoon following rainfall events on October 6th and 10th, 2022. The goal was to assess how long the ecosystem took to recover. Results showed that the southern part of the lagoon had a delayed recovery compared to the northern region, with significant impacts on salinity, turbidity, and oxygen levels. Immediately after the rainfall, lower surface salinity was observed in the southern lagoon due to freshwater influx, while the northern region remained stable. Freshwater also affected bottom salinity along the western shore. By October 19th, salinity in the lagoon's center had increased but had not returned to pre-rainfall levels, with lower salinity still present in the southern region. Turbidity also increased along the western and southern shores due to runoff carrying nutrients and sediments, potentially disrupting local ecosystems. The continuous data from the smartbuoy offered detailed insights into hydrological changes, salinity, turbidity, and oxygen variations. This real-time data is essential for effective environmental management and conservation efforts in the lagoon ecosystem.

Mussel farming is a strategic economic activity for several coastal regions, where seawater and mussels are regularly monitored for the presence of the toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis and associated toxins. This study analysed the ecological dynamics of Dinophysis species assemblages in relation to the toxicity events recorded in mussel farms and environmental variables over the multi-year (1998-2023) continuous observations along the Emilia-Romagna and Marche coasts (northwestern Adriatic Sea). DSP (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning) toxicity events were mainly recorded in autumn and winter and were associated with the abundance of D. caudata, D. fortii and D. tripos species (rs = 0.84, rs = 0.83, and rs = 0.66, respectively, p < 0.05). The Dinophysis species showed a clear seasonality with a succession of D. acuminata, D. sacculus in spring-summer, followed by D. caudata and finally D. fortii and D. tripos in autumn. In addition, each Dinophysis species showed its own optimum temperature for maximum growth. Furthermore, interannual trends showed an increase in Dinophysis spp. absence and a decrease in toxicity in bivalve mussels (5.35 and -3.31 % year-1, respectively), accompanied by a decreasing trend in DIN, phosphate and total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a (-1.97 %, -2.64 %, -3.3 % and -1.73 % year-1, respectively). In 2015 and 2022, prolonged toxicity events occurred when the surface waters were colder and slightly saltier than the long-term average. The data analysis highlighted the importance of the long-term observations for understanding the variability of DSP events and Dinophysis dynamics in relation to the environmental conditions to improve the management of aquaculture activities.

The dynamics of hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in a Northwestern coastal area of the Adriatic Sea were investigated. The time series data from continuous observation (2007-2022) allowed the investigation of annual trends and seasonal cycles along a coastal transect influenced by local river discharge. Various statistical models were used to investigate water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic, inorganic and particulate nutrients, precipitation and river discharge. It was found that the local river discharge regime played an essential role in interannual, and seasonal biogeochemical dynamics associated with global climate change in the Mediterranean region. A significant trend towards oligotrophic conditions was detected, as evidenced by the downward trend in the river mouth and on the sea of chlorophyll a (-0.2 μg L-1 in the sea), dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., -0.43 μM yr-1 of DON in the sea and -6.67 of DIN μM yr-1 in the river mouth or -0.07 μM yr-1 of DOP and -0.02 μM yr-1 of DIP in the river mouth) and silicate (-2.47 μM yr-1 in the river mouth) concentrations. Salinity showed a long-term increase in the sea (0.08 yr-1), corresponding to a significant decrease in water discharge from the local river (-0.27 m3 s-1 yr-1) and precipitation (-0.06 mm yr-1). The dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients highlighted a different seasonal accumulation under the river runoff regime. The nutrient enrichment was predominantly driven by river contribution. Data analysis showed that the coastal biogeochemical properties dynamics were mostly influenced by river discharge and precipitation regimes, which in turn are driven by climate change variability in the North- western Adriatic Sea.

Some years ago, we reported the generation of a Fanconi anemia (FA) microRNA signature. This study aims to develop an analytical strategy to select a smaller and more reliable set of molecules that could be tested for potential benefits for the FA phenotype, elucidate its biochemical and molecular mechanisms, address experimental activity, and evaluate its possible impact on FA therapy. In silico analyses of the data obtained in the original study were thoroughly processed and anenrichment analysis was employed to identify the classes of genes that are over-represented in the FA-miRNA population under study. Primary bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) from sixFA patients and sixhealthy donors as control samples were employed in the study. RNAs containing the small RNA fractions were reverse-transcribed and real-time PCR was performed in triplicate using the specific primers. Experiments were performed in triplicate.The in-silico analysis reported six miRNAs as likely contributors to the complex pathological spectrum of FA. Among these, three miRNAs were validated by real-time PCR. Primary bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) reported a significant reduction in the expression level of miRNA-1246 and miRNA-206 in the FA samples in comparison to controls.This study highlights several biochemical pathways as culprits in the phenotypic manifestations and the pathophysiological mechanisms acting in FA. A relatively low number of miRNAs appear involved in all these different phenotypes, demonstrating the extreme plasticity of the gene expression modulation. This study further highlights miR-206 as a pivotal player in regulatory functions and signaling in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) process in FA. Due to this evidence, the activity of miR-206 in FA deserves specific experimental scrutiny. The results, here presented, might be relevant in the management of FA.

The evaluation of the hydrography and biogeochemistry of the Adriatic Sea over the last century was summarized in this review to point out any changes in river runoff and provide an overview of the cause and effect of these trends on marine ecosystems. Although several rivers flow into the Adriatic, the most affected area is the northern Adriatic, where the Po River loads into the basin half of the total freshwater input, carrying river runoff and causing algal blooms and hypoxia phenomena. These fresh waters of the northern Adriatic flow predominantly along the entire western side, reaching the southernmost part of the basin up to the Mediterranean Sea. Here, and in the whole basin, variations in river runoff and nutrient concentration have been observed through the years. Starting from 1960 until the end of the century, an increase in nutrient discharge and phytoplankton activity was reported, with negative repercussions on local fisheries, species richness, and recreational activities within the basin. However, a recent decrease in river inflow has been observed along the coastal belt, which can trigger negative consequences for the food web of the marine ecosystem. These trends, more broadly, corroborate the vulnerability of the Adriatic Sea and stress the importance of implementing strategies for the defense of the relevant ecosystems within its confines.

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs) are a family of proteins involved in RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA constitutive and alternative splicing. The role of SRSF proteins in regulating mitochondrial activity has already been shown for SRSF6, but SRSF4 altered expression has never been reported as a cause of bone marrow failure. An 8-year-old patient admitted to the hematology unit because of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia showed a missense variant of unknown significance of the SRSF4 gene (p.R235W) found via whole genome sequencing analysis and inherited from the mother who suffered from mild leuko-neutropenia. Both patients showed lower SRSF4 protein expression and altered mitochondrial function and energetic metabolism in primary lymphocytes and Epstein–Barr-virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblasts compared to healthy donor (HD) cells, which appeared associated with low mTOR phosphorylation and an imbalance in the proteins regulating mitochondrial biogenesis (i.e., CLUH) and dynamics (i.e., DRP1 and OPA1). Transfection with the wtSRSF4 gene restored mitochondrial function. In conclusion, this study shows that the described variant of the SRSF4 gene is pathogenetic and causes reduced SRSF4 protein expression, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. Since mitochondrial function is crucial for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and some genetic bone marrow failure syndromes display mitochondrial defects, the SRSF4 mutation could have substantially contributed to the clinical phenotype of our patient.

A multidisciplinary approach, involving geochemical, sedimentological and oceanographic analyses, was employed to examine the distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a strongly anthropized area of the marginal Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean basin). The investigation into PAH distribution considered the grain size and biogeochemical properties of the sediments, as well as in relation to the main oceanographic processes and river inputs. Both biogeochemical and hydrographical inputs regulated the sedimentation of organic particles, influencing the distribution of PAHs. The results indicated PAH levels in 116 marine surface sediments ranging from 4 to 235 ng g−1 (average 55 ng g−1). The distribution of PAHs in Adriatic Sea surface sediments aligned with a higher clayey sedimentation in the deeper basin areas of the Middle Adriatic Depression.

The Northern Adriatic Sea is one of the most productive areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Long-term series of phytoplankton are crucial to detect changes in the marine ecosystems, due to its high sensitiveness to envi-ronmental conditions.In this study, we compared two long-term phytoplankton time series (1988-2019) related to a coastal and an offshore stations located along the LTER Senigallia-Susak transect (Northern Adriatic Sea), using several sta-tistical descriptors: diversity indices, multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, HCPC, NMDS), IndVal (indicator value analysis) and graph-network analysis. The coastal station was found to be more variable than the offshore one, being directly affected by the Western Adriatic Current and therefore by riverine inputs. The two stations appeared to be more different in winter and autumn, and more similar in summer when riverine waters spread offshore in stratified conditions. Due to its more oligotrophic condition, the offshore phytoplankton community showed a higher biodiversity than the coastal one, where phytoplankton blooms occurred frequently.Graph-network analysis turned out to be a useful tool to study the phytoplankton community through the number of interactions occurring among phytoplankton taxa, that was higher at the offshore station.This study highlighted that any evaluation of the Good Environmental Status (as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive) should consider the oceanographic differences between different areas, combining several statistical approaches.

In the last two decades of the 21st century, a gradual decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus has been observed along the coastal area of the Northern Adriatic Sea. This depletion is attributed to reduced river flows. Studies conducted over the past four decades have indicated that the N/P ratio in the open sea is unlikely to undergo significant change. In fact, it tends to increase due to the unique characteristics of the Northern Adriatic Sea, which experiences slow water turnover and is influenced by strong winds. Additionally, the Northern Adriatic Sea receives a substantial amount of freshwater from rivers, accounting for about one-third of the total freshwater flow into the Mediterranean. These rivers carry nutrient loads that contribute to the high productivity and abundance of fish in this sea, making it one of the most productive areas in the Mediterranean. It has been observed that the cessation of anthropogenic phosphorus input, which has been regulated since the late 1980s with legislation limiting its use in detergents, has significantly affected the trophic chain. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the eutrophication trend in the Northern Adriatic Sea, highlighting the importance long-term data series.

The deposition of stem cells at sites of injury is a clinically relevant approach to facilitate tissue repair and angiogenesis. However, insufficient cell engraftment and survival require the engineering of novel scaffolds. Here, a regular network of microscopic poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) filaments was investigated as a promising biodegradable scaffold for human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell (hADSC) tissue integration. Via soft lithography, three different microstructured fabrics were realized where 5 × 5 and 5 × 3 μm PLGA ‘warp’ and ‘weft’ filaments crossed perpendicularly with pitch distances of 5, 10 and 20 μm. After hADSC seeding, cell viability, actin cytoskeleton, spatial organization and the secretome were characterized and compared to conventional substrates, including collagen layers. On the PLGA fabric, hADSC re-assembled to form spheroidal-like structures, preserving cell viability and favoring a nonlinear actin organization. Moreover, the secretion of specific factors involved in angiogenesis, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix and stem cell homing was favored on the PLGA fabric as compared to that which occurred on conventional substrates. The paracrine activity of hADSC was microstructure-dependent, with 5 μm PLGA fabric enhancing the expression of factors involved in all three processes. Although more studies are needed, the proposed PLGA fabric would represent a promising alternative to conventional collagen substrates for stem cell implantation and angiogenesis induction.

This study is based on assessing fecal indicator bacteria contamination along meteorological, hydrological and physical-chemical variables after high rainy events during the summer period. The study focused on four different coastal sites in the western and eastern Adriatic coast characterized by various geomorphological and hydrological features, levels of urbanization and anthropogenic pressures, with the aim of finding appropriate and effective solutions to ensure the safety and sustainability of tourism and public health. Detailed in-situ survey revealed a wide range of fecal indicator bacterial (FIB) across the different river mouths with concentrations of E. coli ranging from 165 to 6700 CFU 100 mL-1. It was found that nitrogen compounds track microbial load and acted as tracers for fecal contaminants. Further, a modelling tool was also used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of fecal pollution at these coastal sites. The integrated monitoring through high frequent survey in river waters and modeling framework allowed for the estimation of fecal indicator bacterial load at the river mouth and examination of fecal pollutant dispersion in recreational waters, considering different scenarios of fecal dispersion along the coast. This study formed the basis of a robust decision support system aimed at improving the management of recreational areas and ensuring the protection of water bodies through efficient management of bathing areas.

The transfer of communication and knowledge from science and research to the general public is a paramount step to raise people’s awareness about environmental issues and their negative and positive impacts on each of us. Many projects and initiatives seek to raise awareness among citizens, with particular attention to young people, about the importance of maintaining clean and healthy oceans. With this paper, we aim to present the successful communication initiatives developed during two Interreg projects, AdSWiM and WATERCARE, with schools and educational organisations on the local and national levels in Italy and Croatia. Both projects make a special effort to realize dedicated communication strategies with the objective of raising the awareness of environmental topics and issues among young people (i.e., students of different school grades) and teachers. The promotion of ocean literacy among students is crucial, as children and young people represent the future citizens and consumers who will develop attitudes and make decisions that will inevitably affect the environment.

Abundance and distribution of commercial marine resources are influenced by environmental variables, which together with fishery patterns may also influence their catchability. However, Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) can be standardized in order to remove most of the variability not directly attributable to fish abundance. In the present study, Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were used to investigate the effect of some environmental and fishery covariates on the spatial distribution and abundance of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus within the Pomo/Jabuka Pits (Central Adriatic Sea) and to include those that resulted significant in a standardization process. N. norvegicus is a commercially important demersal crustacean, altering its catchability over the 24-h cycle and seasons according to its burrowing behavior. A historically exploited fishing ground for this species, since 2015 subject to specific fisheries management measures, is represented by the meso-Adriatic depressions, which are also characterized by particular oceanographic conditions. Both the species behaviour and the features of this study area influence the dynamics of the population offering a challenging case study for a standardization modelling approach. Environmental and catch data were obtained during scientific trawl surveys properly designed to catch N. norvegicus, thus improving the quality of the model input data. Standardization of CPUE from 2 surveys from 2012 to 2019 was conducted building two GAMs for both biomass and density indices. Bathymetry, fishing pressure, dissolved oxygen and salinity proved to be significant drivers influencing catch distribution. After cross validations, the tuned models were then used to predict new indices for the study area and the two survey series by means of informed spatial grids, composed by constant surface cells, to each of which are associated average values of environmental parameters and specific levels of fishing pressure, depending on the management measures in place. The predictions can be used to better describe the structure and the spatio-temporal distribution of the population providing valuable information to evaluate the status of such an important marine resource.

A long term (1988–2018) data set of phytoplankton and physico-chemical parameters was analyzed for the first time in an offshore station of the LTER Senigallia-Susak transect (northern Adriatic Sea) not directly affected by the coastal nutrient input. The mean annual cycle of phytoplankton markedly differed from that observed in the coastal areas, showing the maximum in June and the minimum in November. The main component of phytoplankton community was represented by phytoflagellates, whose trend paralleled that of total phytoplankton. On average, diatoms peaked in July, dinoflagellates in June and coccolithophores in April. The phytoplankton maximum in summer is explained mainly by the allochthonous input of DIN and PO4 carried by the low salinity waters expanding eastward, during the stratification of water column. Resuspension processes seem to be less effective for PO4 than for DIN. The most representative phytoplankton taxa for each season as indicated by the IndVal analysis were identified and were only in part similar to those observed in the coastal area. The interannual anomaly trend showed a significant increase of temperature, DIN and phosphates. Although no significant changes were found for the total phytoplankton, a reduction of winter dinoflagellate and coccolithophore abundances was observed.