Nutrient overload promotes the transition from top-down to bottom-up control and triggers dystrophic crises in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 846, P. 157388 - 157388

Published: July 15, 2022

The excess input of nutrients that triggers eutrophication processes is one the main destabilizing factors coastal ecosystems, being lagoons prone to suffer these effects and present dystrophic crises. This process aggravated by current trend rising temperatures more frequent torrential rains due climate change. We observed Mar Menor lagoon had a great capacity for self-regulation its trophic web resistance process, but after 30 years nutrient change in agricultural regime drainage basin 1990s, ecosystem has suffered several events. In this work, we characterize seasonal dynamic pelagic system during last Phosphorus nitrogen alternate as limiting phytoplankton proliferation. entrance phosphorus mainly related vacation periods, while inputs, both superficial sub-superficial, are chronic high nitrates concentration water table activities carried out area changed. Our analysis reveals summer season periodical hypoxia events when N/P ratio decreases, temperature rises. Menor, ecological balance been maintained recent decades thanks to, among other mechanisms, spatial temporal segregation top-down control over exerted three species jellyfish. However, deep reduction abundance jellyfish excessive proliferation meant loss control. Moreover, have registered decline all zooplanktonic groups suggest management actions should address sources nutrients, an integrated throughout watershed.

Language: Английский

---

Nitrogen in surface aquifer - Coastal lagoons systems: Analyzing the origin of eutrophication processes

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 871, P. 161947 - 161947

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

Coastal lagoons can act as sinks and sources of a wide range substances, including nutrients, pollutants. In these ecosystems, primary production is limited more by nitrogen than phosphorus. For this reason, they are significantly vulnerable to nitrate pollution. study, joined analysis surface ground water was conducted determine the origin, occurrence processes affecting fate in Mediterranean coastal aquifer-lagoon system. This included levels, well hydrochemical isotopes data evolution for 4-year period, which revealed two important insights cycling within Firstly, we detected different origins pollution (a mixture sewage, manure chemical fertilizers), their nearly complete attenuation alluvial aquifer due heterotrophic autotrophic processes, favoured presence organic matter Fe-minerals its sediments. Secondly, rapid assimilation, inorganic peaks were mainly after storm events. While may be attributed runoff, ammonium related nutrient cycling. contrast, did not detect continuous low N inputs, associated groundwater flow. These results depict need integrated management strategy systems.

Language: Английский

---

Geochemical baseline establishment and pollution assessment of heavy metals in the largest coastal lagoon (Pinqing Lagoon) in China mainland

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 177, P. 113459 - 113459

Published: March 1, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Small Mediterranean coastal Lagoons Under Threat: Hydro-ecological Disturbances and Local Anthropogenic Pressures (Size Matters)

Estuaries and Coasts, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 46(8), P. 2220 - 2243

Published: Feb. 27, 2023

Mediterranean coastal lagoons are affected by multiple threats (demographic pressures, eutrophication, climate change) expected to increase in the future and impact ecosystem services provided. Conservation norms scientific studies usually focus on large (> 0.5 km2) due their economic importance, while they ignore smaller lagoons. These poorly understood often unprotected, despite prevalence within region importance. Qualitative quantitative characterisation of small lagoons, terms functioning sensitivity global local changes, needed develop appropriate management strategies. For this purpose, work provides first inventory all Corsican has investigated three them size (Arasu, Santa Giulia, Balistra), characterised contrasting anthropogenic contexts (highly modified/disturbed, medium disturbance, quasi-pristine). At regional level, 91 95 identified < km2, making Corsica a good example for study The case showed differences seasonal biogeochemical cycles phytoplankton communities (biomass, diversity, photosynthetic efficiency). Arasu Giulia an watershed urbanisation (+ 12% + 6% 30 years), high biomass, low diversity blooms potentially harmful dinoflagellates. Conversely, Balistra lagoon status overall, but some pollution sources its watershed. This demonstrates importance at scale, knowledge studied sites also potential applications elsewhere. integrated approach considering adjacent connected systems (watershed sea) is highlighted.The online version contains supplementary material available 10.1007/s12237-023-01182-1.

Language: Английский

---

Spatial and Temporal Scales of Variability of Mollusks in a Strongly Threatened Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon (Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain)

Water, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 657 - 657

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Coastal lagoons are dynamic and highly productive systems that offer a remarkable number of ecological services benefits for humans. However, our understanding them is still far from adequate. The Mar Menor lagoon an ecosystem subject to anthropogenic pressures have worsened in recent years. These include coastal works, such as dredging sand dumping, well changes agricultural regimes induced process eutrophication set off alarms after the eutrophic crisis occurred 2016. Benthic organisms, particular mollusks, very sensitive environmental variations, often serving indicators these changes. This work analyzes malacofauna 1981 2019 context it during Eighty-six species been recorded throughout study period, richness, abundances, local assemblage structures, along with main parameters water column (salinity, temperature, chlorophyll concentration) used explain composition communities habitats detect their spatial temporal variations. With information provided, complete inventory mollusks reported has updated 126 species. results indicate that, almost 40 years, total remained relatively constant, but high percentage occasional rare species, rate change one another over time, accompanied by variations abundance dominance some compared others depending on conditions undergone. heterogeneity detected determined restricted connectivity open sea, diversity environments habitats, due human actions.

Language: Английский

---

Changes in macrozoobenthic assemblages of a coastal lagoon in the context of long-term human pressures and a eutrophication process

Marine Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 208, P. 107145 - 107145

Published: April 12, 2025

Coastal lagoons have long been perceived as simple, uniform and naturally stressed habitats, but recent research reveals that these ecosystems may be more complex, heterogeneous, structured than anticipated, with an unexpected homeostatic resilience capacity to respond anthropogenic pressures. In addition, they are considered among the highest biological productivity most valuable in terms of socioeconomic importance. However, face numerous challenges almost general lack planning hinders effective protection against pressures like agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, mining, tourism, coastal works, industrial pollution or eutrophication. This study represents a long-term analysis changes composition structure macrozoobenthic assemblages main habitats Mar Menor lagoon, their response severe eutrophic break episode, framed eutrophication process human lagoon has suffering for last 40 years. Four time periods studied, since 1980s, established reference quality benthic communities. 99 taxa (3 Phyla, 1 Class 95 Families) identified. The environmental characteristics assemblage descriptors seven representative hard soft bottom served discuss change undergoing spatiotemporal variability. dynamics communities is result multiple processes interact impacts. mechanisms permitted maintaining ecosystem integrity two decades nutrient input mainly based on channelling primary production towards communities, export excess production. During high less abrupt increases nutrients, responds by increasing populations some species trophic strategies sequence filter-feeders, herbivorous deposit feeders. All this complex scenario spatial temporal heterogeneity conditions assemblages, replacement framework restricted connectivity random colonization from open sea.

Language: Английский

---

Impact of climate risk materialization and ecological deterioration on house prices in Mar Menor, Spain

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: July 21, 2023

Abstract The frequency and severity of extreme events related to climate change have intensified worldwide in the last decades. It is documented that increasing rainfall flooding cause more nutrient runoff into waterbodies, initiating numerous harmful algal bloom (HAB) events, especially fragile ecosystems. We analyze dramatic economic damage one these episodes Mar Menor, largest salt-water lagoon Europe. show when public perceived environmental degradation, return on housing investment was 43% lower surroundings than similar neighboring zones 6 years after HAB (2015). This represents a loss wealth 4000 million euros, around ten times gains changing from dry-farming irrigated crops, which makes this ecosystem fragile. Hence, we quantify some consequences ecological deterioration linked Global Climate Change.

Language: Английский

---

Salinity and pH related microbial nitrogen removal in the largest coastal lagoon of Chinese mainland (Pinqing Lagoon)

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 116181 - 116181

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Exploring the sediment-associated microbiota of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

DATA REPORT article Front. Mar. Sci., 23 January 2024Sec. Marine Ecosystem Ecology Volume 11 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1319961

Language: Английский

---

The paradoxical need for human intervention in the conservation of natural environments in Venice lagoon

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: April 26, 2023

The Venice lagoon-the largest Mediterranean coastal lagoon-is characterized by the presence at its edges of 31 "valli da pesca", types artificial ecosystems that mime ecological processes a transitional aquatic ecosystem. Constituted series regulated lakes bounded embankments, valli pesca were established centuries ago to maximize provisioning Ecosystem Services (ESs), such as fishing and hunting. As time passed, underwent an intentional isolation process leading private management. Nonetheless, are still exchanging energy matter with "open' lagoon today represent essential element within context conservation. This study aimed analyze possible effects management on both ESs supply landscape arrangements assessing 9 (climate regulation, water purification, lifecycle support, aquaculture, waterfowl hunting, wild food, tourism, information for cognitive development, birdwatching), along eight indicators. Obtained results suggested ruled under five different strategies, according maximized ES. Management conditions influence pattern achieve "side effects" other ESs. comparison between managed abandoned highlights importance anthropogenic interventions conserving these ecosystems, show loss gradients, heterogeneity, Nevertheless, persistence intrinsic geographical morphological characteristics prevails regardless molding. result is capacity per unit area higher in than open lagoon, emphasizing confined areas Considering spatial distribution multiple ESs, flow does not occur seems be replaced cultural Thus, balancing effect categories. discussed considering trade-offs generated land conservation, interventions, their relevance ecosystem-based lagoon.

Language: Английский

---