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Addamo AM, Modrell MS, Taviani M, Machordom A. Unravelling the relationships among Madrepora Linnaeus, 1758, Oculina Lamark, 1816 and Cladocora Ehrenberg, 1834 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia). INVERTEBR SYST 2024; 38:IS23027. [PMID: 38744497 DOI: 10.1071/is23027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of integrative taxonomic approaches, many scleractinian coral genera and species remain grouped in polyphyletic families, classified as incertae sedis or simply understudied. Oculinidae Gray, 1847 represents a family for which many taxonomic questions remain unresolved, particularly those related to some of the current genera, such as Oculina Lamark, 1816 or recently removed genera, including Cladocora Ehrenberg, 1834 and Madrepora Linnaeus, 1758. Cladocora is currently assigned to the family Cladocoridae Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 and a new family, Bathyporidae Kitahara, Capel, Zilberberg & Cairns, 2024, was recently raised to accommodate Madrepora . However, the name Bathyporidae is not valid because this was not formed on the basis of a type genus name. To resolve taxonomic questions related to these three genera, the evolutionary relationships are explored through phylogenetic analyses of 18 molecular markers. The results of these analyses support a close relationship between the species Oculina patagonica and Cladocora caespitosa , indicating that these may belong to the same family (and possibly genus), and highlighting the need for detailed revisions of Oculina and Cladocora . By contrast, a distant relationship is found between these two species and Madrepora oculata , with the overall evidence supporting the placement of Madrepora in the resurrected family Madreporidae Ehrenberg, 1834. This study advances our knowledge of coral systematics and highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the genera Oculina , Cladocora and Madrepora .
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Addamo
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; and European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), I-21027 Ispra, Italy; and Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC), University of Insubria, I-21100 Varese, Italy; and Present address: Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, NO-8049 Bodø, Norway
| | - Melinda S Modrell
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Taviani
- Istituto di Scienze Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISMAR-CNR), I-40129 Bologna, Italy; and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annie Machordom
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
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Ong MC, Yong JC, Shaari H, Joseph B, Shazili NAM, Pradit S, Adiana G. The application of chemometrics in metals source of identification in Brunei Bay surface sediment. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:3777-3787. [PMID: 36574138 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01456-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Brunei Bay is a unique ecosystem which offers a vast biodiversity. This study was carried out to define the source of metals in the surface sediment of Brunei Bay to ensure the bay's health. The secondary data were analysed using chemometrics analysis to verify the possible factors that influence metals distribution in Brunei Bay sediment. Samples were collected several times during 2013 to 2014 using Ponar grab at 16 stations within the bay. Samples were then dried, pre-treated, digested and analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) in the laboratory. Overall, the mean concentration of metal, sediment pH and clay fraction were significantly changed during different sampling periods, as the changes were presumed affected by seasonal changes. The Pearson correlation has pointed that metals were dominantly derived by natural input; however, the total organic carbon was proven to be derived by anthropogenic sources. Moreover, the principal component analysis has verified that the distribution of metals in the bay's sediment was dominantly influenced by natural processes. However, the utilization and manipulation of marine resources are slightly affecting the bay's ecosystem which may deteriorate the ecosystem health soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Chuan Ong
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Jaw Chuen Yong
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Hasrizal Shaari
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Bidai Joseph
- Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Noor Azhar Mohamed Shazili
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Siriporn Pradit
- Marine and Coastal Resources Institute, Prince of Songkla University, 5th Floor, Academic Building, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Ghazali Adiana
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
- Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
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El Zrelli R, Yacoubi L, Castet S, Grégoire M, Josse C, Olive JF, Courjault-Radé P, van Beek P, Zambardi T, Souhaut M, Sonke JE, Rabaoui LJ. PET plastics as a Trojan horse for radionuclides. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129886. [PMID: 36088881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mismanaged plastic waste interacts with secondary environmental pollutants, potentially aggravating their impact on ecosystems and human health. Here we characterized the natural and artificial radionuclides in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles collected from the industrial littoral discharge of a phosphate fertilizer plant. The activity concentrations in littered bottles ranged from 0.47 (208Tl) to 12.70 Bq·kg-1 (226Ra), with a mean value of 5.30 Bq·kg-1. All the human health risk assessment indices (annual intake, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk) estimated for radionuclides associated with ingestion and inhalation of microplastics were below international safety limits. Our results demonstrated that PET can be loaded with natural and artificial radionuclides, and potentially act as a carrier to transfer radionuclides to humans, posing a new potential health risk. Increased use, mismanagement and fragmentation of plastic waste, and continued interaction of plastic waste with radioelements may lead to enhanced radiation exposure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- SADEF Agronomy & Environment, 30 Rue de la Station, 68700 Aspach-Le-Bas, France.
| | - Lamia Yacoubi
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Grégoire
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Claudie Josse
- UAR Raimond CASTAING, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-François Olive
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Pieter van Beek
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Zambardi
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Marc Souhaut
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Lotfi Jilani Rabaoui
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; National Center for Wildlife, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Hamza F, Kahli A, Almalki M, Chokri MA. Distance from industrial complex, urban area cover, and habitat structure combine to predict richness of breeding birds in southeastern Tunisian oases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:33191-33204. [PMID: 35022972 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid expansion of urban areas and industrial units has put much strain on natural environments and biodiversity. Quantifying the impact of human pressures on avian biodiversity is vital for the identification, preservation, and restoration of important areas. Here, data collected in 11 coastal Mediterranean oases were used to assess the impact of urban and industrial landscapes and habitat structure on the richness of breeding birds. Results of generalized linear mixed models analyses showed a quadratic effect of distance to the industrial complex on breeding bird richness, being optimal (6.41 ± 0.89) at 24 km. The results also showed a negative effect of the cover of urban areas. Our analysis also emphasized the importance of southern oases for breeding bird richness mostly because of their remoteness from the industrial complex and their significant coverage of fruit trees and natural ground cover. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that the shared fraction of industrial landscape, oasis habitat structure, and space was relevant in explaining the richness of breeding birds. It is highly recommended to (i) uninstall the Gabès industrial complex from this Mediterranean area, (ii) enhance the habitat quality in southern oases by planting other fruit trees, such as pomegranate and olive, and (iii) pursue scientific research in these Mediterranean coastal oases, as they offer a good opportunity for assessment and improvement of knowledge on both the impact of industrialization on quality of habitats and the richness of bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foued Hamza
- Département Des Sciences de La Vie, Faculté Des Sciences de Gabés, Université de Gabés, 6072, Zrig, Gabés, Tunisia.
- Association Sauvegarde Des Zones Humides du Sud Tunisien, BP 86, Avenue Tayeb Mhiri, 6001, ,Gabés, Tunisia.
| | - Asma Kahli
- Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle Et Évolutive, University of Chadli Bendedid, El Tarf, Algeria
| | - Mohammed Almalki
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed-Ali Chokri
- Département Des Sciences de La Vie, Faculté Des Sciences de Gabés, Université de Gabés, 6072, Zrig, Gabés, Tunisia
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El Zrelli R, Baliteau JY, Yacoubi L, Castet S, Grégoire M, Fabre S, Sarazin V, Daconceicao L, Courjault-Radé P, Rabaoui L. Rare earth elements characterization associated to the phosphate fertilizer plants of Gabes (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean Sea): Geochemical properties and behavior, related economic losses, and potential hazards. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 791:148268. [PMID: 34139493 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study on the behavior and industrial fluxes of rare earth elements (REE) in the coastal fertilizer plants of Gabes (south-eastern Tunisia), the economic losses related to their wastes, and their environmental and human health hazards. The concentrations of 16 REE were assessed in phosphate rock (PR), phosphogypsum (PG) and phosphogypsum foam (PGF) samples, collected from Gabes plants. REE concentrations ranged from 0.23 (for Sc in PG) to 309.33 mg kg-1 (for Ce in PGF). Ce was the most abundant in the three matrices, with concentrations ranging between 80.40 (in PG) and 309.33 mg kg-1 (in PGF). PGF was the most enriched with REE (1075.32 mg kg-1). The annual flow of REE from the fertilizer factories to the marine environment may reach 1523.67 t. The economic losses related to the discharge of phosphogypsum REE in the Gulf of Gabes (GG) was estimated at ~58 million US$ y-1. The potential hazards of discharged REE on the local environment and human health were also evaluated and discussed. These findings show the need for the development of a new industry exploiting REE from phosphogypsum wastes (short term) and phosphate ores (long term) which should lead to reduce its high environmental and human health footprint and to potential economic gains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Grégoire
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Fabre
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Vivien Sarazin
- SADEF, 30 Rue de la Station, 68700 Aspach-Le-Bas, France
| | | | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Center for Environment & Marine Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
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El Kateb A, Beccari V, Stainbank S, Spezzaferri S, Coletti G. Living (stained) foraminifera in the Lesser Syrtis (Tunisia): influence of pollution and substratum. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8839. [PMID: 32292648 PMCID: PMC7144591 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Foraminifera are protozoans with biomineralized tests that can be successfully used as a low cost monitoring tool to assess the health status of marine environments. Living benthic foraminiferal assemblages can provide essential information on natural and/or anthropogenic stresses and provide baseline conditions for studies on fossil material. Several studies have highlighted the negative impact of phosphate treatment industries along the Gulf of Gabes (Lesser Syrtis, Tunisia) on the marine environment. However, only a few studies, based on living (stained) benthic foraminifera, are presently available to assess environmental and/or ecological conditions in this Gulf. Thirty-eight surface sediment samples were quantitatively investigated to identify the dominant living benthic foraminiferal species and potential pollution-sensitive and stress-tolerant species. One-hundred and sixty-one species were identified, and grouped into seven clusters representing different environments within the Gulf. These groups represent polluted settings (Cluster A and B), polluted environments characterized by physicochemical variability (Cluster C), seagrass meadows and “pristine” sites (Cluster D and E) and the region subjected to major industrial impact (Cluster F). The final outlier Cluster, identified the foraminifera barren and all shallow coastal stations. A SIMPER analysis helped identify species with clear and fast responses to environmental perturbations (Ammonia tepida, Amphistegina lessonii, Brizalina striatula, Bulimina marginata, Buliminella elegantissima, Eggereloides scaber, Peneroplis perutusus, Rosalina macropora, Rosalina villardeboana, Trochammina inflata). A comparison with the measured geochemical parameters (TOC, phosphorus in the sediments and heavy metal concentrations in the seawater) has shown that the benthic foraminiferal assemblages are mainly linked to phosphorus, TOC, As and Cd pollution. We also provide here the first compilation of the identified living species in the Lesser Syrtis, their synonyms and digital images of important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram El Kateb
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Beccari
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Silvia Spezzaferri
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Coletti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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Mosbahi N, Serbaji MM, Pezy JP, Neifar L, Dauvin JC. Response of benthic macrofauna to multiple anthropogenic pressures in the shallow coastal zone south of Sfax (Tunisia, central Mediterranean Sea). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 253:474-487. [PMID: 31330340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities including coastal industries, urbanization, extensive agriculture and aquaculture as well as their cumulative impacts represent major sources of perturbation of marine coastal systems. Macrobenthic communities are useful ecological indicators for monitoring the health status of marine environments (or polluted environments). The present study reports, for the first time, the response of benthic macrofauna sampled during two years survey (2015-2016) to multiple anthropogenic pressures on the coastal zone south of Sfax (Tunisia). A total of 12 stations were monitored seasonally at locations downstream from the main potential sources of disturbance. 106 macrobenthos taxa, belonging to six animal phyla and 70 families, were identified with a dominance of polychaetes (42%), crustaceans (35%) and molluscs (18%). We used an ANOVA test and cluster analysis to identify spatial gradient linked to environmental and anthropogenic factors, including depth, sedimentary texture and anthropogenic activities (i.e. phosphogypsum discharges).The macrofauna present lowest species number and abundance on stations undergoing anthropogenic inputs, which are extremely polluted by heavy metals (Cd, Cu, F and N) and excess of organic matter. Univariate parameters reveal a general trend of increasing species diversity with increasing distance from the pollution source. The polluted stations are strongly dominated by carnivores, and selective deposit feeders, and more closely linked to the availability of trophic resources than to anthropogenic constraints. The seasonal changes in macrobenthic abundance, diversity indices and community structure are mainly linked to the biological cycle (e.g. recruitment events) of the dominant species. Biotic indices (AMBI and BO2A) classified the coastal zone south of Sfax as moderate and good ecological status. This study suggests that initiating a long-term monitoring programme would improve our understanding of the temporal changes of macrobenthic communities of this ecosystem, contributing to the assessment of effective management and conservation measures in this disturbed area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawfel Mosbahi
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Marine et Environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Mohamed Moncef Serbaji
- National School of Engineers of Sfax, Water, Energy and Environment Laboratory L3E, University of Sfax, BP 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jean-Philippe Pezy
- Normandie Univ., UNICAEN, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, 2-4 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Lassad Neifar
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Marine et Environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Univ., UNICAEN, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, 2-4 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
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El Zrelli R, Rabaoui L, van Beek P, Castet S, Souhaut M, Grégoire M, Courjault-Radé P. Natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment of industrial wastes from the coastal phosphate treatment plants of Gabes (Tunisia, Southern Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 146:454-461. [PMID: 31426180 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work is a first contribution to the knowledge of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 238U, 40K, and 232Th) activities in phosphate rock (NORM), phosphogypsum, and phosphogypsum foam (TENORM) from the coastal fertilizer plants of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia) and the assessment of their radiation hazards on human health and the surrounding environment. In the three studied materials, activities were found to be in the range of 35.4 (40K)-375.1 (226Ra), 10.0 (40K)-220.2 (226Ra), and 79.2 (232Th)-1168.6 Bq kg-1 (226Ra), respectively. Considering the studied radionuclides and materials, the corresponding decreasing activity orders were found to be 226Ra > 238U > 40K > 232Th and PGF > PR > PG, respectively. All human health hazard indices exceeded the worldwide recommended safety limits, which show that the workers in Gabes phosphate fertilizer plants as well as the neighboring human community may potentially be exposed to significant radiation, which may cause several diseases and malformations. It is therefore recommended to avoid and/or reduce the potential fertilizer industry radioactive impact in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France.
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Parasitology and Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), University Campus, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Pieter van Beek
- Laboratoire d'Études en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS, CNRS/CNES/IRD/UPS), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Marc Souhaut
- Laboratoire d'Études en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS, CNRS/CNES/IRD/UPS), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Grégoire
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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Boudaya L, Mosbahi N, Dauvin JC, Neifar L. Structure of the benthic macrofauna of an anthropogenic influenced area: Skhira Bay (Gulf of Gabès, central Mediterranean Sea). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:13522-13538. [PMID: 30911967 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04809-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Skhira Bay located in the Gulf of Gabès, on the southeastern coast of Tunisia, is an important area in terms of its dense vegetation coverage, wide continental shelf, and fisheries resources. However, this area with a typically micro-tidal range is subject to intensive anthropogenic pressures: soft bottom trawling, chemical pollution from phosphoric acid production, and shipping activity. The present study is the first investigation of the structure of the benthic macrofauna on this part of the Tunisian coast. In April 2010, 28 stations were sampled along four transects from the phosphogypsum outfall on an inshore-offshore gradient. A total of 239 macrobenthos taxa, belonging to nine zoological groups and 140 families, were identified with a dominance of polychaetes (33.5%), crustaceans (29.4%), and mollusks (19.6%). Results show that the stations facing the phosphogypsum discharges are the most disturbed and characterized by a poorly diversified macrofauna. The macrofauna is dominated by carnivores, suspension feeders, and selective deposit feeders, and seems to be linked more to the availability of trophic resources than to disturbance. Four benthic assemblages are identified using Cluster and MDS analyses linked to edaphic factors, such as sediment structure, organic matter content, inshore/offshore gradient, and the proximity of the phosphogypsum outfall. The biotic indices (AMBI and BO2A) calculated from macrofauna data show that the ecological status of Skhira Bay varies overall from moderate to good. This study suggests initiating a long-term monitoring program to improve our understanding of the temporal changes of this ecosystem, to recommend the necessary conservation measures in this area of high-value natural heritage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lobna Boudaya
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Marine et environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisie.
| | - Nawfel Mosbahi
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Marine et environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisie
| | - Jean-Claude Dauvin
- UNICAEN, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, Normandie Univ., 2-4 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Lassad Neifar
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Marine et environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3000, Sfax, Tunisie
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El Zrelli R, Rabaoui L, Abda H, Daghbouj N, Pérez-López R, Castet S, Aigouy T, Bejaoui N, Courjault-Radé P. Characterization of the role of phosphogypsum foam in the transport of metals and radionuclides in the Southern Mediterranean Sea. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 363:258-267. [PMID: 30308365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.09.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Gabes Gulf had received huge quantities of phosphogypsum discharged from fertilizer plants. Dumping phosphogypsum in coastal waters leads to the formation of foam layers which can float on the surface and be passively transported to distant areas. This is the first attempt at geochemical and mineralogical characterization of these industrial foams in order to understand their role in the dynamic and behavior of contaminants in marine environment. Chemically, phosphogypsum foams (PGFs) are heavily loaded with radiochemical contaminants. Their mineralogical composition showed a prevalence of synthetic gypsum followed by other secondary minerals including halite, quartz, dolomite, sphalerite-Cd and fluorapatite. PGFs are rich in organic matter (OM), precursor of their formation. Once released in gypseous water, the OM in solution undergoes agglomeration, cementing and flotation steps leading to the formation of floating foams. The foams' OM was found to control the mobility of industrial contaminants contributing then to the marine environment pollution. Consequently, PGFs are the main accumulating, transporting and dispersion agent of phosphogypsum radiochemical contaminants. Thus, PGFs removal has the potential to reduce enormously the dynamics of contaminants transferred from the fertilizer plants to the aquatic environment, reducing thus their impacts on the marine environment and health status in Gabes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France; Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis Maharajène, Tunisia.
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Parasitology and Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), University Campus, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heithem Abda
- Université de Monastir, Faculté des Sciences de Monastir, Laboratoire de Chimie Hétérocyclique, Produits Naturels et Réactivités, Avenue de l'Environnement, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Daghbouj
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Trojanova 13, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Rafael Pérez-López
- Department of Earth Sciences & Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Campus 'El Carmen', 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Aigouy
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Nejla Bejaoui
- Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis Maharajène, Tunisia
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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11
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Ingrosso G, Abbiati M, Badalamenti F, Bavestrello G, Belmonte G, Cannas R, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Bertolino M, Bevilacqua S, Bianchi CN, Bo M, Boscari E, Cardone F, Cattaneo-Vietti R, Cau A, Cerrano C, Chemello R, Chimienti G, Congiu L, Corriero G, Costantini F, De Leo F, Donnarumma L, Falace A, Fraschetti S, Giangrande A, Gravina MF, Guarnieri G, Mastrototaro F, Milazzo M, Morri C, Musco L, Pezzolesi L, Piraino S, Prada F, Ponti M, Rindi F, Russo GF, Sandulli R, Villamor A, Zane L, Boero F. Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2018; 79:61-136. [PMID: 30012277 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ingrosso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Beni Culturali (DBC), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Genuario Belmonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Bertolino
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stanislao Bevilacqua
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Boscari
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cerrano
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Renato Chemello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Chimienti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Congiu
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corriero
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Costantini
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Francesco De Leo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Donnarumma
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guarnieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mastrototaro
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Milazzo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzolesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Prada
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ponti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio Russo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Sandulli
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Villamor
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zane
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Boero
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Genova, Italy
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12
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Naifar I, Pereira F, Zmemla R, Bouaziz M, Elleuch B, Garcia D. Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in marine sediments of the southern coast of Sfax, Gabes Gulf, Tunisia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 131:53-62. [PMID: 29886979 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to investigate the current distribution of metal concentrations in surface marine sediments of the southern coast of Sfax (Tunisia), thirty-nine samples were collected in the vicinity of a mixed industrial and domestic wastewater effluent discharge. In comparison with the threshold effect level and probable effect level, the majority of metals had high ecological and biological risks. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation Index showed that the majority of sediments are unpolluted by As, Ni and Pb, moderately polluted by Cr and Cu and moderately to strongly polluted by P, Y, Zn. Besides, all sites are extremely polluted by Cd. Principal component analysis indicates that As, Cu and Ni were mainly from lithogenic sources, whereas Cd, Cr, F, P, Pb, Y and Zn were mainly derived from anthropogenic source. Findings of this research can be used as suitable reference for future studies and environmental management plans in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Naifar
- National School of Engineers of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, 1173-3038, Tunisia.
| | - Fernando Pereira
- École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Centre SPIN and UMR 5600, 158 cours Fauriel, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Raja Zmemla
- National School of Engineers of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, 1173-3038, Tunisia
| | - Moncef Bouaziz
- National School of Engineers of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, 1173-3038, Tunisia
| | - Boubaker Elleuch
- National School of Engineers of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Ecotechnology, 1173-3038, Tunisia
| | - Daniel Garcia
- École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Centre SPIN and UMR 5600, 158 cours Fauriel, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France
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13
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El Kateb A, Stalder C, Rüggeberg A, Neururer C, Spangenberg JE, Spezzaferri S. Impact of industrial phosphate waste discharge on the marine environment in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197731. [PMID: 29771969 PMCID: PMC5957445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The marine environment in the Gulf of Gabes (southern Tunisia) is severely impacted by phosphate industries. Nowadays, three localities, Sfax, Skhira and Gabes produce phosphoric acid along the coasts of this Gulf and generate a large amount of phosphogypsum as a waste product. The Gabes phosphate industry is the major cause of pollution in the Gulf because most of the waste is directly discharged into the sea without preliminary treatment. This study investigates the marine environment in the proximity of the phosphate industries of Gabes and the coastal marine environment on the eastern coast of Djerba, without phosphate industry. This site can be considered as "pristine" and enables a direct comparison between polluted and “clean” adjacent areas. Phosphorous, by sequential extractions (SEDEX), Rock-Eval, C, H, N elemental analysis, and stable carbon isotope composition of sedimentary organic matter, X-ray diffraction (qualitative and quantitative analysis) were measured on sediments. Temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were measured on the water close to the sea floor of each station to estimate environmental conditions. These analyses are coupled with video surveys of the sea floor. This study reveals clear differentiations in pollution and eutrophication in the investigated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram El Kateb
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, Fribourg, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Claudio Stalder
- Federal Office of Public Health FOPH, Radiation Protection Division, Schwarzenburgstrasse 157, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andres Rüggeberg
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Neururer
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jorge E. Spangenberg
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Spezzaferri
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 6, Fribourg, Switzerland
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14
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El Zrelli R, Rabaoui L, Ben Alaya M, Daghbouj N, Castet S, Besson P, Michel S, Bejaoui N, Courjault-Radé P. Seawater quality assessment and identification of pollution sources along the central coastal area of Gabes Gulf (SE Tunisia): Evidence of industrial impact and implications for marine environment protection. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 127:445-452. [PMID: 29475683 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Temperature, pH and trace elements (F, P, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) contents were determined in 16 stations as well as in 2 industrial and 2 domestic discharge sources, in the central coastal area of the Gulf of Gabes. Compared to the northern and southern areas of the study area, the highest contents of contaminants were reached in the central area which hosts the coastal industrial complex. The seawater in this central area was also found to be acid and of higher temperature. Based on the Water Pollution Index results, an increasing degradation gradient of the seawater quality was revealed from northern and/or southern stations to central ones, categorized as 'strongly to seriously affected'. Phosphogypsum wastes dumped by the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT) seem to have continuously degraded the seawater quality in the study area. A rapid intervention is needed to stop the effects on the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France; Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis Maharajène, Tunisia.
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Research Unit of Integrative Biology and Evolutionary and Functional Ecology of Aquatic Systems, University Campus, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohsen Ben Alaya
- Laboratoire des Matériaux Utiles (LMU), Institut de Recherche et d'Analyse Physico-Chimique, Pôle Technologique Sidi Thabet, 2020 Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Daghbouj
- CEMES-CNRS, 29 rue J. Marvig, 31055 Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe Besson
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvain Michel
- SADEF, 30 Rue de la Station, 68700 Aspach le Bas, France
| | - Nejla Bejaoui
- Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis Maharajène, Tunisia
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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15
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El Zrelli R, Courjault-Radé P, Rabaoui L, Daghbouj N, Mansour L, Balti R, Castet S, Attia F, Michel S, Bejaoui N. Biomonitoring of coastal pollution in the Gulf of Gabes (SE, Tunisia): use of Posidonia oceanica seagrass as a bioindicator and its mat as an archive of coastal metallic contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:22214-22225. [PMID: 28795327 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9856-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Within the framework of a study on the extent and history of marine pollution in the central area of Gabes Gulf, the concentrations of four trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were assessed in three different tissues of the seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, and roots), in the mat of P. oceanica meadows at different depths from the sea floor (- 30 to - 150 cm) and in sediments. The results showed that P. oceanica leaves accumulate more Cd, Cu, and Zn, whereas Pb was found to be more concentrated in roots. The analysis of P. oceanica mat highlighted a clear decreasing gradient of trace metal concentrations from lower (- 30 cm) to higher (- 150 cm) depths. Considering that P. oceanica mat continuously rises above the initial level, with a rate of 1 m per century (~1 cm year-1; Molinier and Picard Ann Inst Océanogr Fr 27:157-234, 1952), the latter observation suggested that the pollution level in Gabes Gulf increased continuously during the last few decades. The results of the P. oceanica mapping in the study area showed a continuous regression of its meadows as well as its local disappearance from various areas in the central part of Gabes Gulf. The current status of P. oceanica is most likely due to the cumulative effects of the discharges from the coastal industrial complex of Gabes-Ghannouche represented mainly by the phosphogypsum discharges. This study confirms the usefulness of P. oceanica not only as a bioindicator of the "health status" of coastal ecosystems but also as a record register tracing back the history and temporal evolution of coastal contamination level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
- Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis, Maharajène, Tunisia.
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Research Unit of Integrative Biology and Evolutionary and Functional Ecology of Aquatic Systems, Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, University Campus, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil Daghbouj
- CEMES-CNRS and Université de Toulouse, 29 Rue J. Marvig, 31055, Toulouse, France
| | - Lamjed Mansour
- Research Unit of Integrative Biology and Evolutionary and Functional Ecology of Aquatic Systems, Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, University Campus, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafik Balti
- Enzymes and Bioconversion Unit, National School of Engineering, University of Sfax, Km 4 Road Soukra, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Faouzi Attia
- Agronutrition, 3 Allée de l'Orchidée, 31390, Carbonne, Toulouse, France
| | - Sylvain Michel
- SADEF-Pôle d'Aspach, Rue de la Station, F-68700, Aspach-le-Bas, France
| | - Nejla Bejaoui
- Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), Université de Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, Tunis, Maharajène, Tunisia
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