Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2405
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2405
14 Nov 2023
 | 14 Nov 2023

Real-Time Biological Early Warning System based on Freshwater Mussels’ Valvometry Data

Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz

Abstract. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of natural river floods on biotic communities. To this purpose, we used freshwater mussels (FMs), recognized as one of the most reliable bioindicators in aquatic environments. A well-established valvometry technique was applied to measure the FMs valve gaping behaviour, considering both gaping amplitude and frequency. The mussels have been employed in two distinct configurations, either free to move or stuck on vertical bars.  We performed experiments in a laboratory flume and in the Paglia River (Italy). The FMs valve gaping movement was first recorded, then the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis was applied to the signals to get the time-dependent frequency of the signals. Laboratory experiments allowed to assess to what extent stuck mussels react differently than free mussels to abrupt increases in flow conditions. Subsequently, we examined the response of thirteen stuck mussels installed in real riverine conditions during a moderate flood occurred on March 31, 2022, with a rapid increase of the water level. The experimental results demonstrate that stuck mussels produce signals that are more consistent and easier to interpret compared to free mussels, primarily due to the reduced number of features resulting from movement constraints. The stuck mussels in the field showed a sharp and timely change of valve gaping frequency as the flood ramped up, thus confirming the findings in the laboratory. The results highlight the effectiveness of using FMs as bioindicators for assessing the impact of floods on the aquatic ecosystem, and the utility of CWT as a suitable signal processing tool for analyzing valvometric time series. These findings provide a pathway towards the integration of FMs valvometry and CWT for the development of operational real-time Biological Early Warning Systems (BEWS) aimed at the monitoring and safeguarding of aquatic ecosystems.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 May 2024
Real-time biological early-warning system based on freshwater mussels’ valvometry data
Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 2297–2311, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2297-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2405', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sebastiano Piccolroaz, 01 Feb 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2405', Cynthia Maan, 01 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Sebastiano Piccolroaz, 07 Feb 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2405', Anonymous Referee #1, 21 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sebastiano Piccolroaz, 01 Feb 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2405', Cynthia Maan, 01 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Sebastiano Piccolroaz, 07 Feb 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (07 Feb 2024) by Thom Bogaard
AR by Sebastiano Piccolroaz on behalf of the Authors (26 Feb 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (27 Feb 2024) by Thom Bogaard
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (10 Apr 2024)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (14 Apr 2024) by Thom Bogaard
AR by Sebastiano Piccolroaz on behalf of the Authors (16 Apr 2024)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 May 2024
Real-time biological early-warning system based on freshwater mussels’ valvometry data
Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 2297–2311, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2297-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz
Ashkan Pilbala, Nicoletta Riccardi, Nina Benistati, Vanessa Modesto, Donatella Termini, Dario Manca, Augusto Benigni, Cristiano Corradini, Tommaso Lazzarin, Tommaso Moramarco, Luigi Fraccarollo, and Sebastiano Piccolroaz

Viewed

Total article views: 430 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
331 80 19 430 24 13 16
  • HTML: 331
  • PDF: 80
  • XML: 19
  • Total: 430
  • Supplement: 24
  • BibTeX: 13
  • EndNote: 16
Views and downloads (calculated since 14 Nov 2023)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 14 Nov 2023)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 414 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 414 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 04 Sep 2024
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
This study investigates the impact of floods on the aquatic ecosystem by means of freshwater mussels instrumented with sensors to monitor the opening of their valves. Signal analysis techniques were used to gain insights into their responses in terms of changes in the intensity and frequency of valve gaping. The approach used in the study potentially enables the development of real-time monitoring systems for ecological purposes, offering a pathway for practical biological early-warning systems.