First observations on marine subaqueous soils in "Torre del Cerrano" marine protected area, Adriatic sea (Italy)

Subaqueous soils have to be studied with proper methodologies, according to a pedological approach and considering the key role of animal bioturbation. Morphological and chemical characteristics of submerged soils found in the MPA of "Torre del Cerrano", Adriatic sea (Italy), have been studied in this way, and we conclude that submarine soils of the MPA are important examples of pedogenesis promoted by animals. Soils from the highly protected marine area hosted a major biodiversity than those from the sub- and non-protected areas, while no striking differences in terms of soil physical and chemical characteristics among protected, sub-protected and non-protected areas occurred.