The aim of this study is to show the current status of the development and use of the new IC Medit phytoplankton composition index as a sub-metric within the phytoplankton quality element in assessing phytoplankton quality in Mediterranean coastal waters. IC Medit uses pigment concentrations determined by HPLC for assessing phytoplankton composition. Focusing on coastal waters of Corsica, we (i) described the seasonal succession of the main phytoplankton groups in reference conditions, (ii) studied responses of phytoplankton groups to well identified drivers, (iii) assessed the shift of the seasonal succession of phytoplankton groups from the reference conditions in impacted areas, (iv) revealed pressure / impact relationships between nutrients and... |