A risk assessment on Zostera chilensis, the last relict of marine angiosperms in the South-East Pacific Ocean, due to the development of the desalination industry in Chile

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 883, P. 163538 - 163538

Published: April 24, 2023

Seagrasses, which are considered among the most ecologically valuable and endangered coastal ecosystems, have a narrowly limited distribution in south-east Pacific, where Zostera chilensis is only remaining relict. Due to water scarcity, desalination industry has grown last decades central-north coasts of Chile, may be relevant address terms potential impacts on benthic communities due their associated high-salinity brine discharges subtidal ecosystems. In this work, we assessed ecophysiological cellular responses desalination-extrapolable hypersalinity conditions Z. chilensis. Mesocosms experiments were performed for 10 days, plants exposed 3 different salinity treatments: 34 psu (control), 37 40 psu. Photosynthetic performance, H2O2 accumulation, ascorbate content (reduced oxidized) measured, as well relative gene expression enzymes related osmotic regulation oxidative stress; these, at 1, 3, 6 days. showed decrease photosynthetic parameters such electron transport rate (ETRmax) saturation irradiance (EkETR) under treatments, while non-photochemical quenching (NPQmax) presented an initial increment subsequent decline levels increased with hypersalinity, dehydroascorbate psu, although decreased along experimental period. Increased salinities also triggered genes ion osmolyte syntheses, but salinity-dependent up-regulated mostly those reactive oxygen species metabolism. The relict seagrass shown withstand that extrapolable effects short-term. As latter not fully clear long-term, considering restricted ecological importance, direct meadows recommended.

Language: Английский

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Spatial Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macrofauna in Coastal Waters of the Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), Dubai

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 332 - 332

Published: May 4, 2025

The present study aimed to characterize the benthic macroinvertebrate community of Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), sole marine protected area in Emirate Dubai, during summer and winter seasons 2017. Limited research on biological quality JAMS prompted this investigation, which involved 10 sampling stations assess diversity composition relation abiotic factors such as sediment granulometry, trace metals, salinity, temperature. Collected samples were analyzed for macroinfauna, their abundance was measured, revealing an average 2150 ind/m2 2132 without a significant difference between both seasons. Univariate indices, including Margalef index Pielou evenness index, indicate range values across sites. Community assessed through SIMPROF Bray–Curtis similarity clustering, further elucidating relationship structures environmental gradients. dominant species varied stations, providing insights into seasonal variations dynamics. These findings contribute understanding biodiversity serve baseline future monitoring management efforts at preserving ecological integrity important sanctuary.

Language: Английский

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Effects of brine discharges on newly hatched larvae of the rocky-shore keystone gastropod Concholepas concholepas

Desalination, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 581, P. 117579 - 117579

Published: March 29, 2024

Language: Английский

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‘Behavioural and physiological responses of the surf clam Mesodesma donacium to brine discharges’

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 922, P. 171233 - 171233

Published: Feb. 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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