Mussel farming in Maliakos Gulf and quality indicators of the marine environment: Good benthic below poor pelagic ecological status

Biological and geothemical variables in the water column and sediments were monitored along a transect of a mussel farm located in a transitional environment in Maliakos Gulf, a semi-enclosed gulf in eastern Mediterranean. Analyses of water, sediment and macrofauna samples were used to calculate ecological status indicators in the context of the European Water Framework Directive. The water column ecological status was Poor or Bad showing little change with distance from the farm, but the ecological status of the benthic communities was found to be Good, although there were quantitative changes in macrofaunal indices with distance from the farm. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.