Effects of Local Acidification on Benthic Communities at Shallow Hydrothermal Vents of the Aeolian Islands (Southern Tyrrhenian, Mediterranean Sea)

Shallow hydrothermal vents in the Aeolian Islands (Mediterranean Sea) induce significant local acidification, leading to profound changes in benthic communities. Research at three depths (16, 40, and 80 meters) revealed that CO₂ emissions simplify community structure and reduce biodiversity by eliminating sensitive taxa such as kinorhynchs, turbellarians, gastropods, while favoring tolerant species like halacarids, ostracods, and oligochaetes. Acidification also caused a notable biomass decline in macrofauna, with shifts in composition driven by lower predatory pressure and increased food availability. These findings highlight the vulnerability of shallow marine ecosystems to acidification, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Aeolian Islands.

Fanelli, E., Di Giacomo, S., Gambi, C., Bianchelli, S., Da Ros, Z., Tangherlini, M., Andaloro, F., Romeo, T., Corinaldesi, C., & Danovaro, R. (2022). Effects of Local Acidification on Benthic Communities at Shallow Hydrothermal Vents of the Aeolian Islands (Southern Tyrrhenian, Mediterranean Sea). Biology, 11(2), 321. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11020321