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Jayachandran PR, Joydas TV, Borja A, Manokaran S, Franco J, Garmendia JM, Gopi J, Manikandan KP, Asharaf M, Maneja RH, Qasem AM, Alghamdi H, Lozano-Cortés D, Krishnakumar PK, Qurban MA. Unveiling the ecological status of the Arabian Gulf's marine ecosystem: Insights from benthic community analysis. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116571. [PMID: 38941805 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116571] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
This study assessed the ecological health of waters within the Saudi Arabian Exclusive Economic Zone, by utilizing benthic biotic indices with a marine monitoring dataset covering the years 2013 to 2018. This comprehensive evaluation covered a vast expanse, encompassing 67 distinctive sampling locations characterized by a wide range of depth and salinity gradients. The study examined spatial fluctuations in the benthic community and assessed potential correlations with environmental variables, including salinity, depth, sediment texture, total organic carbon, and other relevant factors. The macrobenthic density varied across the study sites, with an average density of 566 ± 120 ind.m-2. The Shannon diversity index ranged from 3.21 and 5.90, with an average of 4.70 ± 0.52. Based on the average AMBI values, all the locations were categorized as either slightly disturbed or undisturbed. Additionally, the M-AMBI analysis indicated that 95.5 % sites were in good or high ecological status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paravanparambil Rajakumar Jayachandran
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thadickal V Joydas
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI; Marine Research; Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA); Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Spain
| | - Seerangan Manokaran
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javier Franco
- AZTI; Marine Research; Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA); Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Spain
| | - Joxe Mikel Garmendia
- AZTI; Marine Research; Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA); Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Spain
| | - Jayanath Gopi
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karuppasamy P Manikandan
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Asharaf
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rommel H Maneja
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Qasem
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamed Alghamdi
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Diego Lozano-Cortés
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Periyadan K Krishnakumar
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research and Innovation, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. B. No. 1995, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
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Chauvel N, Raoux A, Weill P, Dezilleau L, Pezy JP. Assessing the ecological effects of low-intensity marine aggregate extraction in a strong-hydrodynamic, coarse environment context: A case study of the GIE GMO site (English channel). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 199:106614. [PMID: 38905868 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106614] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Marine aggregate extraction represents an opportunity to face the depletion of terrestrial aggregate resources. The environmental effects of this activity have been assessed in several studies, leading to the formulation of recommendations to mitigate its effects. This study investigates its environmental impacts in a coarse, high-current environment with low-intensity extraction, a unique scenario not extensively studied before. Employing multivariate analyses and a trophic group approach, it examines complex responses at both species and community levels. Results indicate a decline in biodiversity, promoting the establishment of r-selected species, particularly filter feeders. Although site restoration timelines remain uncertain, initial indications suggest rapid recovery (2-3 years) for this site. The study also discusses methodological challenges in sampling these low-intensity dredged sites and emphasizes the need for new indices tailored to this pressure and coarse sediments under strong hydrodynamics. These insights offer valuable directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Chauvel
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France.
| | - Aurore Raoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Pierre Weill
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Laurent Dezilleau
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Pezy
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS UMR 6143 M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France
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Du X, Tian J, Huang Y, Ye Y, Yang Y, Xu W, Zhao Y, Li Y. Effects of stock enhancement on the macrobenthic community and ecological health in the intertidal zone of the estuarine wetland in Nanhui, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116492. [PMID: 38754324 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116492] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Nanhui Dongtan Wetland is an important part of Yangtze Estuary Wetland, and its species diversity has been affected by reclamation in recent years. To increase the diversity of species in reclamation areas, stock enhancement was implemented in the Nanhui Dongtan Wetland in May 2020 as a method of ecological restoration. We investigated macrobenthos before and after release, analysed changes in the macrobenthos and evaluated the ecological health of the sampled area. The diversity index showed species were more abundant and community structure were more diversified after release. Functional groups and redundancy analysis showed that the effects of stock enhancement on macrobenthos in Nanhui Dongtan wetland may be based on changes in secondary productivity. Stock enhancement may promote the resistance of macrobenthic communities to organic pollution without negatively affecting ecological health. As a method of ecological restoration, stock enhancement will play a positive role in the restoration of macrobenthic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglin Du
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiangtao Tian
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yizhou Huang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yucong Ye
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wenyue Xu
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yunlong Zhao
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Yiming Li
- Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Jaubet ML, Garaffo GV, Cuello GV, Hines E, Elías R, Llanos EN. Submarine outfall and new sewage treatment plant modulate the response of intertidal benthic communities in a SW Atlantic area. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115946. [PMID: 38150974 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115946] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Spatio-temporal responses of the intertidal macrobenthic community to the effects of a submarine outfall (SO) and a new sewage treatment plant (EDAR) were evaluated, analyzing changes in macrofaunal assemblages and community structure. Study was conducted in a SW Atlantic coastal area in 4 stages: BSO (Before the SO), Du (During the construction of the SO), ASO (After the SO start-up) and AEDAR (After the treatment plant start-up). Boccardia proboscidea and Brachidontes rodriguezii contributed most to the differences between all stages at the site nearest to the discharge point. Number of individuals was highest at BSO and Du. Richness and diversity were lowest at the BSO and highest at the Du. Furthermore, the richness decreased slightly, and the diversity increased at AEDAR. Evenness was highest at the BSO and AEDAR. The nestedness was the dominant process driving the differences between the BSO stage community and the rest of the stages. SO affects the composition and structure of the intertidal macrobenthic community near the outfall area, as organic matter discharge further offshore favour the development of a more diverse intertidal community, including species sensitive to organic enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lourdes Jaubet
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Griselda Valeria Garaffo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Graciela Verónica Cuello
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Emiliano Hines
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Elías
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Noemí Llanos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Gerasimova AV, Filippova NA, Lisitsyna KN, Shunatova NN, Filippov AA, Nikishina DV, Kiyko OA, Timofeeva MA, Maximovich NV. Benthic fauna in the south-eastern part of the Pechora-sea: Current state and analysis of ecological quality. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 191:106151. [PMID: 37604088 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106151] [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: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, economic activity has sharply increased in the Pechora Sea, one of the most hydrologically unique areas of the Barents Sea. Hence, the information about the current state of its ecosystems is quite important for assessing their possible changes in the future. The aim of the present study was to analyze the distribution of macrobenthos and assess its ecological quality in the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea at the beginning of the 21st century (based on data collected in 2012-2013). The results showed that since 1920s there have been no serious changes in the macrobenthos in the studied area. The weak shifts detected in the benthic fauna were either within the natural range of fluctuations in population of common species, or may be associated with differences in the methodological approaches of different researches. Heterogeneity in the macrobenthos distribution, the most significant abiotic factors identified in relation to it, quantitative indicators of biota, and species dominating in communities were similar to those revealed in previous studies. As of 2013, the characteristics of benthic communities in the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea, including their ecological quality, allow us to refer them as undisturbed biosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Gerasimova
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Ichtyology and Hydrobiology, 16th Line VO, 29, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
| | - Nadezhda A Filippova
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Ichtyology and Hydrobiology, 16th Line VO, 29, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
| | - Kseniya N Lisitsyna
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (NSCMB FEB RAS), Palchevskogo str. 17, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia.
| | - Natalia N Shunatova
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Universitetskaya Emb., 7/9, St Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
| | - Andrew A Filippov
- ECO-EXPRESS-SERVICE JSC Zanevsky prospect 32-3, St. Petersburg, 195112, Russia.
| | - Darya V Nikishina
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Ichtyology and Hydrobiology, 16th Line VO, 29, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
| | - Olga A Kiyko
- North-West Branch of the Federal Fishery Agency, Odoevskogo st. 24/2-A, St. Petersburg, 199155, Russia.
| | - Margarita A Timofeeva
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Ichtyology and Hydrobiology, 16th Line VO, 29, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
| | - Nikolay V Maximovich
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Ichtyology and Hydrobiology, 16th Line VO, 29, St. Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
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6
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Tan I, Atabay H, Evcen A, Kurt G, Taşkın E, Polat Beken Ç. Integrated assessment of eutrophication in the southern Black Sea waters, using the Nested Environmental Status Assessment Tool. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115424. [PMID: 37659383 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
This research deals with the land-based pressures on the southern Black Sea coast (Turkey), with the objective of assessing their eutrophication impacts. In this context, reference values of some of the eutrophication indicators were calculated, and eutrophication assessment was carried out for this area using the holistic approach NEAT (Nested Environmental Status Assessment Tool). In addition, correlations between NEAT results of coastal regions and pressure-impact analysis methods were investigated. In the determined Spatial Assessment Unit (SAU) areas, 9 indicators were evaluated according to the SAU surface, both with and without weighting by their size the overall assessment of the Turkish Black Sea coast is good (0.70) and moderate (0.57) environmental status, for non-weighting and weighting by SAUs, respectively, with a high confidence level. With this study, we concluded that the sensitivity of the assessment tool needs to be increased. Despite these results, an appropriate number of indicators to represent the water column should be added. It is important to include the phytoplankton variable in the evaluation in future studies. In addition, this study, which uses NEAT allows identifying problematic environmental areas that require attention and action from managers and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Tan
- TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center - Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency - Marine Research and Technologies Research Group, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Atabay
- TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center - Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency - Marine Research and Technologies Research Group, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Alper Evcen
- TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center - Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency - Marine Research and Technologies Research Group, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Güley Kurt
- Sinop University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Sinop, Turkey
| | - Ergün Taşkın
- Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Çolpan Polat Beken
- TUBITAK-Marmara Research Center, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center - Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency - Marine Research and Technologies Research Group, Kocaeli, Turkey
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Paul J, Nestlerode JA, Jarvis BM. Evaluating the effectiveness of M-AMBI with other biotic indexes in a temperate estuary. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115194. [PMID: 37379631 PMCID: PMC10517643 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Need for a scalable and widely applicable index has been increasingly important. This study evaluates the applicability of the M-AMBI, a potential comprehensive index, at small spatial scales. M-AMBI was compared to regional indices (EMAP-E and GOM B-IBI), assessing response to natural environmental gradients and low oxygen stress. Results indicate poor agreement between indices with M-AMBI and GOM B-IBI showing positive correlation but significant disagreement in habitat condition. EMAP-E had no agreement. Indices showed similar patterns of better habitat scores in higher salinities. M-AMBI also showed a negative relationship with sediment organic matter and total nitrogen. DO influenced all indices with M-AMBI the most sensitive. However, mismatches between DO and index score were observed further calibration may be needed before adoption into programs. Overall, the M-AMBI demonstrates potential at smaller, local scales, but additional studies are needed to validate its performance in different coastal environments and under different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Paul
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, ORISE Research Participation Program, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, United States.
| | - Janet A Nestlerode
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, United States
| | - Brandon M Jarvis
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, United States
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8
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Cuello GV, Saracho Bottero MA, Llanos EN, Garaffo GV, Hines E, Elías R, Jaubet ML. Submarine outfall effect on subtidal macrobenthic communities in a southwestern Atlantic coastal city. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18258. [PMID: 37519750 PMCID: PMC10372403 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Submarine outfalls are an effective alternative for the final discharge of wastewater. The aim was to evaluate the subtidal macrobenthic community's responses and the changes in bottom sedimentary dynamics due to submarine outfall (SO) location. Sampling stages were: before SO (BSO), after SO (ASO) and after treatment plant (AEDAR). Sampling sites were determined at different distances from the coastline (coastal, oceanic, and reference) on both sides of the pipe (North and South). Species shifts (from tolerant to sensitive) were observed along with a decrease in organic matter in the AEDAR Stage. There were changes in the sedimentary dynamic with sediment accumulation on the South side of the SO (finest sediments) and erosion on the North side (coarsest sediments) in the ASO and AEDAR Stages. Species turnover was higher than nesting in all stages. Functional trait analysis allowed the identification of temporal variations in benthic communities. The body size, development mode, feeding mode, habit, adult mobility and tolerance to pollution were useful functional traits to detect changes through Stages (BSO, ASO, and AEDAR). Biotic indices classified the sites as slightly disturbed, indicating a slight improvement in the AEDAR Stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Verónica Cuello
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - María Andrea Saracho Bottero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Noemí Llanos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Griselda Valeria Garaffo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Emiliano Hines
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Elías
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
| | - María Lourdes Jaubet
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias, Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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McLaverty C, Eigaard OR, Olsen J, Brooks ME, Petersen JK, Erichsen AC, van der Reijden K, Dinesen GE. European coastal monitoring programmes may fail to identify impacts on benthic macrofauna caused by bottom trawling. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 334:117510. [PMID: 36821989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bottom trawling (hereafter trawling) is the dominant human pressure impacting continental shelves globally. However, due to ongoing data deficiencies for smaller coastal vessels, the effects of trawling on nearshore seabed ecosystems are poorly understood. In Europe, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) provides a framework for the protection and improvement of coastal water bodies. It requires member states to track the status of 'biological quality elements' (including benthic macrofauna) using WFD-specific ecological indicators. While many of these metrics are sensitive to coastal pressures such as nutrient enrichment, little is known about their ability to detect trawling impacts. Here, we analysed a comprehensive data set of 5885 nearshore benthic samples - spatiotemporally matched to high-resolution trawling and environmental data - to examine how these pressures affect coastal benthos. In addition, we investigated the ability of 8 widely-used benthic monitoring metrics to detect impacts on benthic biological quality. We found that abundance (N) and species richness (S) were strongly impacted by bottom trawling. A clear response to trawling was also observed for the WFD-specific Benthic Quality Index (BQI). Relationships between N and S, and trawling were particularly consistent across the study area, indicating sensitivity across varying environmental conditions. In contrast, WFD indices such as AZTIs Marine Biotic Index (AMBI), multivariate AMBI (M-AMBI), and the Danish Quality Index (DKI), were unresponsive to trawling. In fact, some of the most heavily trawled areas examined were classified as being of 'high/good ecological status' by these indices. A likely explanation for this is that the indices are calculated using species sensitivity scores, based on expected species response to eutrophication and chemical pollution. While the BQI also uses species sensitivity scores, these are based on observed responses to disturbance gradients comprising a range of coastal pressures. Given the prominent use of AMBI and DKI throughout Europe, our results highlight the considerable risk that the metrics used to assess Good Ecological Status (GES) under the WFD may fail to identify trawling impacts. As trawling represents a widespread source of coastal disturbance, fishing impacts on benthic macrofauna may be underestimated, or go undetected, in many coastal monitoring programmes around Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán McLaverty
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Ole R Eigaard
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Olsen
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mollie E Brooks
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Karin van der Reijden
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Grete E Dinesen
- DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Nasi F, Vesal SE, Relitti F, Bazzaro M, Teixidó N, Auriemma R, Cibic T. Taxonomic and functional macrofaunal diversity along a gradient of sewage contamination: A three-year study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 323:121022. [PMID: 36621717 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121022] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the structural and functional changes of the soft-bottom macrofaunal community following the improvement of a wastewater treatment-WWT plant. The macrofauna was collected at increasing distance from the main outfall in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Organic matter and nutrients were analysed in the water column near the outfalls to detect possible changes due to the improved treatment. We examined Functional Entities-FEs (i.e. a unique combination of species functional traits), species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity-H', and taxonomic and functional β-diversity. From 2018 (before the year of the treatment change), to 2021, we noted a gradual decrease of organic carbon in the water column. In contrast, sediment characteristics (i.e. grain-size) did not change before and after treatment enhancement, with the exception of redox potential. Species richness and FEs gradually increased moving far from the source of organic contamination and after wastewater treatment enhancement, especially near the outfall. We observed different phases of macrofaunal succession stage after the WWT amelioration. A 'normal stage', i.e. slightly lower species richness, was reflected in decreasing functional richness. Higher taxonomic β-diversity values with significant turnover components indicated that the community was subjected to broad changes in species composition. However, functional β-diversity did not follow the same pattern. After treatment improvement, modified environmental conditions led to the establishment of new species, but with the same functions. Towards 2021, the community improved its resilience by increasing functional redundancy and reduction of vulnerability, which enhanced community stability. The latter was also reflected in the well-balanced proportion of macrofaunal feeding habits after the WWT upgrade. Integrating the classical taxonomic approach with the analysis of FEs, and environmental characteristics can provide an accurate insight into macrofauna sensitivity to stressors that are likely to lead to changes in the ecological state of an area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Nasi
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Seyed Ehsan Vesal
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Relitti
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bazzaro
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e Dell'Ambiente, Università Degli Studi di Siena, Strada Laterina, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nuria Teixidó
- Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Ischia Marine Centre, Ischia, Naples, Italy; Laboratoire D'Océanographie de Villefranche, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Rocco Auriemma
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Tamara Cibic
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Via A. Piccard 54, I-34151 Trieste, Italy
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Asl AG, Nabavi SMB, Rouzbahani MM, Alipour SS, Monavari SM. Persistent organic pollutants influence the marine benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in surface sediments of Nayband National Park and Bay, Northern Persian Gulf, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:30254-30270. [PMID: 36422775 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24232-w] [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: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Macroinvertebrate communities have been influenced by chemical substances, originated from petrochemical developments, that caused many problems in the marine biota. This study investigated the surface sediments of Nayband National Park and Bay (northern Persian Gulf) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in terms of their distribution, source, and impacts on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages. To this end, a total of 180 surface sediment samples from 20 stations were collected using Van-Veen grab sampler during winter 2018. The concentration of PAHs, TPHs, total organic carbon (TOC). and total organic matter (TOM) were evaluated, and grain size measurements were conducted on sediment samples in this study. Benthic macroinvertebrates were then identified in terms of presence and distribution. The results indicated that coarse granulometric fractions of sands were prevalence in all samples stations. The total concentration of PAHs ranged from 47.57 to 657.68 ng/g and TPHs 5.72 to 42.16 µg/g dw. The risk of ΣPAHs and TPHs in the sediments was relatively low to moderate according to the sediment quality guidelines. Analysis of the results revealed a significant negative correlation between ΣPAHs (R-value = - 0.917; P < 0.01), TPHs (R-value = - 0.849; P < 0.01) and macrofaunal abundance. Findings demonstrated that the species richness and abundance were at the lowest levels in stations where concentrations of PAHs, TPHs, TOC, and TOM were in the highest values, suggesting that these contaminants could negatively influence the benthic organisms in Nayband National Park and Bay. The results of correspondence analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) analysis showed that sedimentary habitats in Nayband National Park and Bay are being negatively affected by PAHs and TPHs, released from Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ). Moreover, the marine biotic index (AMBI) and Shannon-Weiner Diversity (H') results suggest that Nayband National Park and Bay can be classified as slightly to moderate polluted area. In conclusion, Northern Persian Gulf is significantly affected by oil industry developments and petrochemical activities. The unique ecosystem like Nayband National Park and Bay has been in a cautious status in terms of the PSEEZ pollutants and the levels of PAHs and TPHs concentration, warning that urgent environmental programs should be considered to protect the diversity and ecology of this valuable marine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghanavati Asl
- Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | | | | | - Sima Sabz Alipour
- Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
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12
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Chunga-Llauce JA, Benavides MT, Borja Á, Vélez-Zuazo X, Vildoso B, Alonso A, Pacheco AS, Tasso V. Assessing the ecological quality status of macrobenthic communities in a marine terminal of liquefied natural gas in Peru. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 185:105879. [PMID: 36642023 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105879] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Macrobenthic organisms are useful bioindicators to assess ecological quality status. On the south-central coast of Peru (13°15.15'S, 76°18.5'W), a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) marine terminal has been operating since 2010. We investigated the macrobenthic communities and sediment parameters from 2011 to 2020 to evaluate the ecological quality status in the surrounding area of the marine terminal, using the AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and its multivariate version (M-AMBI). We analyzed the diversity and community composition of macrobenthic invertebrates and the physico-chemical parameters of the sediment from 29 sampling sites, ranging from 0 to 15m depth. The sampling design considered: the direct influence zone ("DIZ", surroundings of the marine terminal), and northern (NCZ) and southern (SCZ) control zones. Our results indicated that abundance was high at SCZ and decreased with depth. Species richness and diversity were high at DIZ and NCZ, respectively, and increased up to 10m but dropped at 15m. High sand content was recorded in shallow depths, while in deeper areas and DIZ, mud and organic matter increased and redox potential was negative. AMBI indicated a "slightly disturbed" status in general, while M-AMBI indicated "good" or "moderate" status at depths ≤ 12m, and "poor" status at 15m. Overall, the season/year factor was not important, and variables were mostly significantly different across depths. Redox potential and organic matter were correlated with M-AMBI at 15m. In general, our results indicate an acceptable ecological quality surrounding the marine terminal, likely because the study area is not influenced by an important input of an anthropogenic stressor. This study highlights the importance of monitoring benthic communities in the surroundings of human-made structures and the use of ecological quality indices for understanding potential impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Chunga-Llauce
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA; Asociación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Parque José de Acosta 187, Lima, 15076, Peru; Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Venezuela s/n cuadra 34, Lima, 15081, Peru.
| | - Martín T Benavides
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA; Asociación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Parque José de Acosta 187, Lima, 15076, Peru
| | - Ángel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research Division, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia, Portualdea s/n, Pasaia, 20110, Spain; Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ximena Vélez-Zuazo
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA; Asociación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Parque José de Acosta 187, Lima, 15076, Peru
| | - Bruno Vildoso
- Hunt LNG Operating Company, Calle Las Palmeras 435, Lima, 15073, Peru
| | - Alfonso Alonso
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Aldo S Pacheco
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Venezuela s/n cuadra 34, Lima, 15081, Peru
| | - Vicente Tasso
- Oceansnell, Marine Environmental Consulting, Calle Aitana, Valencia, 46940, Spain
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Pitacco V, Mavrič B, Lipej L. A preliminary study of soft bottom benthic communities in an area affected by intense maritime traffic (Slovenian Sea, Northern Adriatic). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114672. [PMID: 36739714 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114672] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Maritime traffic and port activities pose several environmental and ecological problems in the marine environment. The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data for the future assessment of anthropogenic impacts related with port activities in Slovenian Sea (Northern Adriatic Sea). The macrobenthic communities near the port of Koper, as well as sites offshore were analysed. Results showed that the sites offshore were generally richer and more structured than sites inside the Port area. Those differences were explained partly by depth and sediment grain size. The ecological quality indicated by M-AMBI index resulted Good/High at all the sampling sites. However, the k-dominance curves indicated a disturbance at certain sites, in particular in the port channels. This work highlights the need for consistent monitoring programs to provide baseline data for future studies assessment of anthropogenic impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Pitacco
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia.
| | - Borut Mavrič
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Lovrenc Lipej
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, SI-6330 Piran, Slovenia
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14
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Purushothaman A, Desai DV, Anil AC. Implications of benthic ecological quality in structuring macrobenthos community in a tropical monsoon influenced port, New Mangalore, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114532. [PMID: 36634537 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114532] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Soft bottom macrobenthos are highly diverse benthic invertebrates, and their diversity depends mainly on the health of the benthic habitat. The impact of anthopogenic stress and port related activites on macrobenthos diversity was studied in New Mangalore port, a tropical monsoon influenced environment. A shift in the macrobenthos abundance and diversity was observed with seasons, along with shift in the dominance of opportunistic species. The ecological quality status (EcoQS) indicated 'poor' to 'moderate' and also 'bad' status of benthic habitat, and this changed with the seasons and regions within the port. Higher diversity of macrobenthos at stations located in the high circulation area (HCA) compared to low circulation area (LCA) and oil and fertilizer wharf (OFW) indicated pivotal role of local hydrodynamics and activities within the port in structuring macrobenthos diversity. The occurrence of opportunistic species within the port demonstrated the role of anthropogenic stress in structuring macrobenthos community.
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15
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Checon HH, Corte GN, Shah Esmaeili Y, Muniz P, Turra A. The efficacy of benthic indices to evaluate the ecological quality and urbanization effects on sandy beach ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159190. [PMID: 36195141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Benthic indices have been widely used across different coastal ecosystems to assess ecological quality and detect anthropic impacts, but very few studies investigated their effectiveness on sandy beaches. Here, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of 12 assemblage-based benthic indices in assessing ecological quality in beaches, across a gradient of anthropic pressure and natural variability in 90 sandy beach sites. Overall, when sandy beaches were considered collectively, benthic indices had a poor performance in identifying decreases in ecological quality with increasing urbanization. However, when each morphodynamic type was evaluated separately, a few indices, especially those that were calibrated by reference conditions (i.e., M-AMBI, BAT, and BEQI-2), showed promising results for dissipative, and to a lesser extent, intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, indices performed poorly, likely a reflection of the stronger natural disturbance these beaches are subjected to. Among functional indices, richness was found to be lower in urbanized beaches, but only in dissipative ones. Overall, our results show that benthic indices have the potential to be incorporated in sandy beach management and monitoring programs, especially for dissipative and intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, given the early stage of studies with benthic indices in beaches, more research is needed to corroborate the observed patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio H Checon
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme N Corte
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202 Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Yasmina Shah Esmaeili
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pablo Muniz
- Oceanografía y Ecología Marina (OEM), Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Pelletier MC, Charpentier M. Assessing the relative importance of stressors to the benthic index, M-AMBI: An example from U.S. estuaries. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114456. [PMID: 36502776 PMCID: PMC9813808 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
M-AMBI, a multivariate benthic index, has been used by European and American (U.S.) authorities to assess estuarine and coastal health and has been used in scientific studies throughout the world. It has been shown to be related to multiple pressures and stressors, but the relative importance of individual stressors within a multiple stressor context has not generally been assessed. In this study, we assembled data collected between 1999 and 2015 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency using consistent methods. These data included sediment and water quality measures and benthic invertebrate data which were used to calculate M-AMBI. We further assembled watersheds for all US estuaries with benthic data and calculated land use metrics. Random forest (RF) was used to identify those variables most strongly related to M-AMBI. Because RF is a compilation of multiple, nonlinear models, we then assessed which of these variables had a direct relationship with M-AMBI. The resulting variables were then assessed using RF to identify the subsets of variables that produced an effective and parsimonious model. This process was conducted at the national and ecoregional scale and the variables identified as being most important to predict M-AMBI were compared with literature reports of ecological patterns in a given area. At the national scale, better condition was correlated with clearer waters, lower amounts of agriculture in the watershed, and lower carbon and metal concentrations in estuarine sediments. Other stressors were identified as being important at the ecoregional scale, although sediment metal concentrations and watershed agriculture were identified as being important in most ecoregions. Our results suggest that this technique is useful to identify the most important variables impacting M-AMBI at broad spatial scales, even when the percentage of sites in Bad or Poor condition is low. This technique also provides an initial identification of important stressors that can be used to target more intensive local studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite C Pelletier
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, US EPA, ORD, CEMM, Narragansett, RI, USA.
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17
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Rova S, Stocco A, Pranovi F. Ecosystem services’ capacity and flow in the Venice Lagoon and the relationship with ecological status. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.7.e79715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Ecosystem services (ES) are theoretically linked to healthy ecological conditions, but this relationship seems to be rather challenging to demonstrate in the real world. Therefore, shedding light on these aspects can be crucial for implementing effective ecosystem management strategies, for instance within the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation. This work aims to present a spatially-explicit assessment of the ecological potential (capacity) and actual use (flow) of 12 ES in the Venice lagoon and to explore the relationships with the ecological status. Quantitative indicators of capacity and flow for each ES have been assessed and mapped and the results summarised with a set of aggregated indicators. The outcomes reveal a positive relationship between the overall capacity and flow of ES, suggesting that where the first is degraded, an overall loss of ES delivery occurs. A complex picture emerges when exploring the links with the ecological conditions, as the relationship changes with the ES and ecological status indicators considered. Structural indicators of ecological status, such as the Biological Quality Elements adopted by the WFD (assessed by MAQI and M-AMBI metrics), seem to be weakly linked with ES, while functional indicators (Kempton Q-90 diversity and secondary production) showed stronger links, especially when aggregated ES indicators are considered. Concerning different ES, it appears that the flow of the ES that are mediated by human uses (provisioning and cultural ES) is negatively related with some of the ecological status indicators. Finally, our results suggest possible limitations of the zonation adopted under the WFD, when it comes to the analysis of ES. We argue that ES could play a role in the management of the Lagoon ecosystem, as their analysis could be used to preserve the ecological functioning by managing the ‘uses’ we make of the ecosystem.
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Shi Y, Zhang G, Zhang G, Wen Y, Guo Y, Peng L, Xu W, Sun J. Species and functional diversity of marine macrobenthic community and benthic habitat quality assessment in semi-enclosed waters upon recovering from eutrophication, Bohai Bay, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113918. [PMID: 35820235 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the structure and function of macrobenthic community in Bohai Bay upon improvement of water quality due to pollution abatement. A total of 166 species were collected in the summer and autumn sampling, with an increase in sensitive species recorded as compared to data from previous studies. While historical variations in species richness indicated signs of improvement in community structure, results of functional diversity indices revealed that the macrobenthic community in Bohai Bay was still in an early stage of recovery. From BIO-ENV analysis, habitat instability may hinder how community responded to water quality improvement. Results of the benthic habitat quality assessment also indicated that the ecological status in most areas of Bohai Bay was classified as good, while a few estuarine regions were categorized in a poor status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Shi
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Guicheng Zhang
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Guodong Zhang
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yujian Wen
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yiyan Guo
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Liying Peng
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Wenzhe Xu
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Chemistry, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Jun Sun
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China; Institute for Advanced Marine Research, China University of Geosciences, Guangzhou 511462, China.
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Hewitt J, Gammal J, Ellis J. Assessing ecological health in areas with limited data by using biological traits. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113900. [PMID: 35810647 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113900] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A multitude of biotic indices that represent environmental status have been developed over the past decades making status comparisons difficult. However, transferring an existing index to a new region can be problematic due to differing stressors, ecosystem components and lack of knowledge on regional species sensitivities. Here we assess whether calculating species sensitivities to specific stressors based on biological traits offers a solution. We use biological traits of macrofaunal species to assess sensitivity to suspended sediment concentrations and calculated the Benthic Quality Index (BQI) at 47 sites across a suspended sediment gradient. This trait-based modification of the BQI was well correlated (0.82) to suspended sediment. Problems previously highlighted, relating to trait plasticity and differential weightings of indifferent and beneficial species, were investigated but did not strongly affect results. A trait-based approach has the additional benefit that the data could be easily converted to evaluate ecosystem function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judi Hewitt
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd NZ (NIWA), Gate 10 Silverdale Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Johanna Gammal
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd NZ (NIWA), Gate 10 Silverdale Rd, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; The University of Waikato-Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Ellis
- The University of Waikato-Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, 101-121 Durham Street, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
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Rehitha TV, Vineetha G, Madhu NV. Ecological habitat quality assessment of a tropical estuary using macrobenthic functional characteristics and biotic indices. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:47629-47646. [PMID: 35184236 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19295-8] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal variation in the macrobenthic functional characteristics, such as trophic structure and secondary production, was studied, along with their structural characteristics such as density, biomass, and community distribution in Cochin estuary (CE), a tropical monsoonal estuary along the Southwest coast of India during 2018-2019. The biotic indices, AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) and M-AMBI (Multivariate-AMBI) were used to assess the ecological quality of the study area by using the sensitivity of macrobenthic fauna to disturbances. A distinct temporal variation was evident in the macrobenthic structural characteristics, wherein high density, biomass, and species richness were observed during the post-monsoon. Polycheate species were dominant during pre-monsoon (Prionospio cirrifera) and monsoon (Mediomastus sp.), while gastropod species, Stenothyra perpumila, was dominant during post-monsoon. The trophic structure analysis revealed the dominance of deposit-feeding polychaetes during the pre-monsoon in association with the fine sediments laden with high organic carbon. In contrast, during post-monsoon, the polychaete trophic groups were more or less evenly distributed in the sandy substratum. The higher density of suspension feeders and herbivorous-grazers observed during the post-monsoon indicated improved habitat quality compared to the pre-monsoon dominated by the detritivores. The macrobenthic secondary production was also high during the post-monsoon, contributed by a diverse assemblage of molluscs, crustaceans, and polychaetes having size > 0.7 mm. The biotic indices also showed an evident increase in the habitat quality of the estuary from pre-monsoon to post-monsoon (AMBI, moderately disturbed to undisturbed; M-AMBI, poor-moderate-good to good-high conditions), similar to the results of benthic structural and functional characteristics. The study highlights the significance of the utility of benthic functional characteristics while assessing the habitat quality of an ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekkendavida Velloth Rehitha
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa- 403 804, Vasco-da-Gama, India.
| | - Gopinath Vineetha
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Post Box No. 1603, Ernakulam North P.O, Cochin -18, India
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Equbal J, Lakra RK, Savurirajan M, Satyam K, Thiruchitrambalam G. Assessing the benthic quality status of three fine sand tropical beaches from the Andaman Islands through the application of marine biotic indices. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:479. [PMID: 35666327 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid coastal development in the Andaman Islands has resulted in littoral habitat degradation. Understanding the performances of marine biotic indices and the interpretation and translation of those results into coastal health assessment could become an integral tool in future monitoring and management policies. In this line of efforts, the ecological quality status of three sandy beaches, two urban and one nonurban, was evaluated by using three marine biotic indices. The faunal community belonged to moderately well-sorted fine sand biocenosis. The relatively high species richness (15.9 ± 0.80 taxa sample-1) and moderate abundance (563 ± 38.8 ind.m-2) were features of the benthic fauna. The urban beaches (Aberdeen Bay and Carbyn's Cove) corresponded to tolerant benthic communities. Malacoceros indicus, Grandidierella megnae and Scolelepis squamata (tolerant species), and Ampelisca diadema (indifferent species) were the major constituents of urban beaches, while Scoloplos capensis, Urothoe grimaldii, and Urothoe platydactyla (sensitive species) were important at the nonurban beach (Wandoor). The high-good quality status prevailed across the spatial and temporal scales except for Carbyn's cove beach, where good-poor status was noticed. The M-AMBI appeared to be the most robust measure in distinguishing the impact between the urban and nonurban beaches. The constrained ordinations revealed a gradient of disturbance across the beaches. The distinct patterns of sample segregation were the result of the ecological response. This attempt should be considered a comprehensive measure of quality assessment of beaches under human pressure and draw a parallel line of evidence to global studies on sandy beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawed Equbal
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - Raj Kiran Lakra
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - M Savurirajan
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
- National Centre for Coastal Research, NIOT Campus, Velacherry-Tambaram Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai - 600100, India
| | - Kunal Satyam
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - Ganesh Thiruchitrambalam
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India.
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22
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Dauvin JC, Baux N, Lesourd S. Benthic impact assessment of a dredge sediment disposal in a dynamic resilient environment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 179:113668. [PMID: 35468472 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113668] [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: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The eastern part of the Bay of Seine (English Channel) is highly impacted by harbour activities and the dumping of dredged sediment by the port authorities of Le Havre (GPMH) and Rouen (GPMR). Sediment dredged by the GPMH (2-2.5 millions of m3 per year) has been disposed at the subtidal Octeville site since 1947. Since the 2000s, mainly fine sediment (80% of fine particles <63 μm) has been disposed using alternate mosaic boxes with limited thickness (0.2 to 0.6 m per box per year), preventing the accumulation of disposed sediment in some parts of the dumping site. During the period August 2016 to September 2017, an experimental study was set up to identify the spatio-temporal changes of the macrobenthos collected at ten stations on six dates: three stations where different volumes of sediments were dumped (from 41,000 to 186,000 m3), two stations located within the Octeville site but without dumping operations during the study and five stations outside the disposal site (northern and southern zones). The Taxonomic Richness, total abundance and abundances of the polychaete Owenia fusiformis show negative correlations with the volumes of deposited sediment, whereas use of the AMBI (AZTI's Marine Biotic Index) and B2OA (Benthic Opportunist Annelids Amphipods) indices does not allow us to distinguish the impacted zone. Our study shows that the impact of dumping remains local and the benthic habitats display a high degree of resilience with rapid recovery of the community after the cessation of disturbance. Recommendations on the future long-term strategy are proposed to improve assessment and minimise the impact of dumping sediment on this benthic habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France.
| | - Noémie Baux
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Sandric Lesourd
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
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23
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Giangrande A, Licciano M, Arduini D, Borghese J, Pierri C, Trani R, Longo C, Petrocelli A, Ricci P, Alabiso G, Cavallo RA, Acquaviva MI, Narracci M, Stabili L. An Integrated Monitoring Approach to the Evaluation of the Environmental Impact of an Inshore Mariculture Plant (Mar Grande of Taranto, Ionian Sea). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:617. [PMID: 35453818 PMCID: PMC9030626 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The results of an ex-ante survey aiming to assess the impact of a fish farm in the Mar Grande of Taranto (southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea) on the surrounding environment are reported. There, the implementation of an innovative IMTA plant was planned, with the goals of environment bioremediation and commercially exploitable biomass production. Analyses were conducted in February and July 2018. Both seawater and sediments were sampled at the four corners of the fish farm to detect the existing biological and physico-chemical features. The investigation was performed to identify the best area of the farming plant for positioning the bioremediating system, but also to obtain a data baseline, to compare to the environmental status after the bioremediating action. Data were also analyzed by canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). All the measurements, in particular, microbiology and macrobenthic community characterization using AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and the Multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI) indices, suggest that the effect of fish farm waste was concentrated and limited to a small portion of the investigated area in relation to the direction of the main current. A site named A3, which was found to be the most impacted by the aquaculture activities, especially during the summer season, was chosen to place the bioremediation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Giangrande
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73047 Lecce, Italy; (A.G.); (M.L.); (D.A.); (J.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Margherita Licciano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73047 Lecce, Italy; (A.G.); (M.L.); (D.A.); (J.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Daniele Arduini
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73047 Lecce, Italy; (A.G.); (M.L.); (D.A.); (J.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Jacopo Borghese
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73047 Lecce, Italy; (A.G.); (M.L.); (D.A.); (J.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Cataldo Pierri
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (C.P.); (R.T.); (C.L.)
| | - Roberta Trani
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (C.P.); (R.T.); (C.L.)
| | - Caterina Longo
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (C.P.); (R.T.); (C.L.)
| | - Antonella Petrocelli
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Giorgio Alabiso
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Rosa Anna Cavallo
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
| | | | - Marcella Narracci
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Loredana Stabili
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73047 Lecce, Italy; (A.G.); (M.L.); (D.A.); (J.B.); (L.S.)
- Institute for Water Research, CNR, 74123 Taranto, Italy; (P.R.); (G.A.); (R.A.C.); (M.I.A.); (M.N.)
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24
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Changes in Macrozoobenthos Community after Aquatic Plant Restoration in the Northern Venice Lagoon (IT). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084838. [PMID: 35457703 PMCID: PMC9029909 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Responses of the macrozoobenthic community to an ecological restoration activity in the northern Venice lagoon were studied, within the scope of the project LIFE SEagrass RESTOration aimed at recreating aquatic phanerogam meadows largely reduced in recent decades. Transplants were successful in almost all project areas. Macrozoobenthos was sampled in eight stations before (2014) and after (2015, 2016, 2017) transplanting activities. An increase in abundance and fluctuations in richness and univariate ecological indices (Shannon’s, Margalef’s, Pielou’s indices) resulted during the years. Comparing non-vegetated and vegetated samples in 2017, every index except Pielou’s increased in the latter. Multivariate analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis, MDS, PERMDISP, SIMPER) grouped samples by localization rather than years, with differences between stations due to the abundance of common species. In 2017, results were also grouped by the presence or absence of aquatic plants, with differences in the abundance of grazer and filter-feeding species. Results of ecological index M-AMBI depicted conditions from moderate to good ecological status (sensu Dir.2000/60/EC) with similar fluctuations, as presented by univariate indices from 2014 to 2017. Responses of the macrozoobenthic community were more evident when comparing vegetated and non-vegetated samples, with the vegetated areas sustaining communities with greater abundance and diversity than non-vegetated samples, thus demonstrating the supporting function of aquatic plants to benthic communities.
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25
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Dias HQ, Sukumaran S, Mulik J, Janakiram P. Ecological quality status assessment of tropical estuaries with benthic indices using differently derived reference conditions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 177:113457. [PMID: 35325797 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113457] [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: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Setting appropriate reference conditions (RCs) is critical for classifying the Ecological Quality Status (EcoQS) which is extremely challenging, considering the present-day estuaries. The EcoQS of three tropical estuaries was assessed by applying five different RCs to identify the best applicable method for the area. The AZTI's indices (AMBI and M-AMBI) categorised areas with sharper pollution gradient with ease, while classification of moderate-low polluted areas was ambiguous. Indices responded to chemical stressors more clearly in the impacted estuary compared to the less polluted estuaries. Ecological status assigned by the default RC (lowest AMBI and highest diversity and richness values) were more accurate than those obtained on application of other four types of RCs, owing to various estuarine constraints that are discussed herewith. Thus, prior to application, caution should be exercised while setting area-specific RCs. The inclusion of combination of AZTI's indices with professional judgment for successful appraisal of ecosystem is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidy Q Dias
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre Andheri (W), Mumbai 400053, India
| | - Soniya Sukumaran
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre Andheri (W), Mumbai 400053, India.
| | - Jyoti Mulik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre Andheri (W), Mumbai 400053, India
| | - P Janakiram
- Department of Marine Living Resources, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam 530003, Andhra Pradesh, India
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26
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A New Multi-Index Method for the Eutrophication Assessment in Transitional Waters: Large-Scale Implementation in Italian Lagoons. ENVIRONMENTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/environments9040041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication represents one of the most impacting threats for the ecological status and related ecosystem services of transitional waters; hence, its assessment plays a key role in the management of these ecosystems. A new multi-index method for eutrophication assessment, based on the ecological index MaQI (Macrophyte Quality Index), the trophic index TWQI (Transitional Water Quality Index), and physicochemical quality elements (sensu Dir. 2000/60/EC), was developed including both driver and impact indicators. The study presents a large-scale implementation of the method, which included more than 100 Italian lagoon sites, covering a wide variability of lagoon typologies and conditions. Overall, 35% of sites resulted in eutrophic status, 45% in mesotrophic, and 25% in oligotrophic status.
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27
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The Marine Influence Index (MII): A Tool to Assess Estuarine Intertidal Mudflat Environments for the Purpose of Foraminiferal Biomonitoring. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14040676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a marine influence index (MII), which is thought to give an integrated quantitative description of the complex of the environmental parameters controlling the foraminiferal fauna in estuarine intertidal mudflats. The MII contains three components, as follows: (1) the relative distance along the salinity gradient, (2) the emergence time relative to a reference tidal cycle, and (3) the relative importance of river outflow in the 30 days before sampling the foraminiferal fauna. Although these three parameters all have a strong relation with salinity, they also implicitly include other environmental parameters, such as the introduction of marine and continental organic matter and biota, hydrodynamic energy, or temperature. In order to show the functioning of this new index, MII is calculated for 28 stations in the Auray and Vie estuaries, for two different periods. The next step will be to compare the MII with faunal data sets. Ideally, this comparison should allow us to find strong correlations between some characteristics of the foraminiferal assemblages and the MII. If such strong correlations were indeed found, any major deviation of this relationship could then be interpreted as being due to strong anthropogenic disturbance.
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28
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Umehara A, Borja Á, Ishida A, Nakai S, Nishijima W. Responses of the benthic environment to reduction in anthropogenic nutrient loading in the Seto Inland Sea (Japan), based on M-AMBI assessment. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 173:105509. [PMID: 34753050 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105509] [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: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Deterioration of the sediment environment and benthic ecosystem is an undesirable effect of eutrophication, but little is known about the response of macrobenthic communities to eutrophication and their long-term recovery. In the present study, temporal changes in benthic ecological status, associated with reductions in anthropogenic impacts on a largest semi-enclosed sea in Japan, were determined using long-term monitoring data from water and sediment quality based on the multivariate AZTI Marine Biotic Index (M-AMBI), focusing on spatial differences in anthropogenic impacts. Several sub-areas were classified based on Chlorophyll a (Chl.a) concentrations in surface water during the 1980s. Chl.a concentrations decreased in all sub-areas except the sub-area with <2 μg Chl.a L-1 from the 1990s-2010s. On the other hand, total organic carbon contents in sediment decreased and M-AMBI values increased in all sub-areas during this period may be due to reduced lateral organic matter advection from surrounding areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Umehara
- Environmental Research and Management Center, Hiroshima University, 1-5-3 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8513, Japan.
| | - Ángel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia Portualdea S/n, 20100, Pasaia, Spain; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akiyuki Ishida
- IDEA Consultants, Inc., 1334-5 Riemon, Yaizu, Shizuoka 421-0212, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakai
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Wataru Nishijima
- Environmental Research and Management Center, Hiroshima University, 1-5-3 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8513, Japan
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29
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Hernández-Miranda E, Estrada R, Strange P, Veas R, Krautz MC, Quiñones RA. Macrofauna community patterns in a Chiloe Island channel used intensely for aquaculture: the ecological status of its benthic environment. REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-021-00098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
It is known that aquaculture may produce negative environmental effects on marine ecosystems. Southern Chile is one of the most important salmon and mussel-producing areas in the world. Here we assess the ecological status of benthic communities near farming centers in Caucahue Channel, Chiloe, which has been used intensely for salmon and mussel production for 30 years.
Methods
The macrofauna, sediments and water column were characterized at distances of 5 to 100 m from three salmon and three mussel-producing centers. Information was also obtained from reference sites 500 to 3000 m from these aquaculture farms. The macrofauna and environmental conditions during winter were analyzed using uni- and multivariate analysis and the AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) as an indicator of benthic community condition.
Results
(i) There is a high degree of spatial dissimilarity in macrofauna and environmental variables among sampling sites and types of environments (far from or near farming centers) and between the northern and southern areas of the channel; (ii) sediment structure (mean grain size and percentage of total organic matter) correlated with the observed dissimilarities in macrofauna communities; and (iii) the level of perturbation according to AMBI was heterogeneous, with sites in the undisturbed/normal range to moderately disturbed/polluted.
Conclusions
We found a high spatial dissimilarity in benthic macrofauna and environmental variables among sampling sites, environmental types and between the northern and southern areas of the channel. AMBI and multivariate community-environment analysis are useful tools to define the level of perturbation of a geographic area at different spatial scales, using all the ecological information from each sample and replicates.
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30
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Pitacco V, Mistri M, Granata T, Moruzzi L, Meloni ML, Massara F, Sfriso A, Sfriso AA, Munari C. Habitat heterogeneity: A confounding factor for the effect of pollutants on macrobenthic community in coastal waters. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 172:105499. [PMID: 34628147 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105499] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Discrepancies were found between Ecological Status of sediments evaluated though the analysis of macrobenthic community and chemical analyses along a heavily trafficked and contaminated maritime seaway in Tyrrhenian Sea. Chemical analyses showed some sites highly contaminated by PAHs and metals with values exceeding thresholds for Good Chemical status and representing potential toxicological risk for benthic animals. Conversely, macrobenthic communities were highly rich and diverse, with Ecological Status (through M-AMBI) Good and High at each site. Sampling depth, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen were the major factors influencing biotic indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, S, H), even if concentrations of PAHs and metals (V, As, and Fe) contributed in explaining a part of indices variability. Habitat heterogeneity of sampled sites is likely acting as a confounding factor for two reasons: (1) high variability of environmental parameters leads to high richness and diversity, to which M-AMBI is sensitive, and (2) environmental parameters explained part of the variability of indices, together with contaminants. Our results suggested the importance of considering natural variability as a fundamental step of environmental impact assessment, for the correct interpretation of biotic indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Pitacco
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 61, 6630, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Michele Mistri
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | - Adriano Sfriso
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari, Via Torino 155, 30127, Venice, Mestre, Italy
| | - Andrea Augusto Sfriso
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Munari
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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31
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Sfriso A, Buosi A, Facca C, Sfriso AA, Tomio Y, Juhmani AS, Wolf MA, Franzoi P, Scapin L, Ponis E, Cornello M, Rampazzo F, Berto D, Gion C, Oselladore F, Boscolo Brusà R, Bonometto A. Environmental restoration by aquatic angiosperm transplants in transitional water systems: The Venice Lagoon as a case study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148859. [PMID: 34328918 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The paper reports the results obtained after 4 years of aquatic angiosperm transplants in areas of the Venice Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean) where meadows almost disappeared due to eutrophication, pollution and overexploitation of clam resources. The project LIFE12 NAT/IT/000331-SeResto, funded by the European Union, allowed to recolonize the Habitat 1150* (coastal lagoons) in the northernmost part of the lagoon, by extensive manual transplants of small sods or single rhizomes of Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, Ruppia cirrhosa and, in some stations also of Cymodocea nodosa. Over the 4 years of the project more than 75,000 rhizomes were transplanted in 35 stations with the support of local stakeholders (fishermen, hunters and sport clubs). Plants took root in 32 stations forming extensive meadows on a surface of approx. 10 km2 even if some failures were recorded in areas affected by outflows of freshwater rich in nutrients and suspended particulate matter. The rapid recovery of the ecological status of the involved areas was the result of this meadow restoration, which was in compliance with Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EC) objectives. Moreover, the monitoring of environmental parameters in the water column and in surface sediments allowed to identify the best conditions for successful transplants. Small, widespread interventions and the participation of local stakeholders in the environmental recovery, make this action economically cheap and easily transposable in other similar environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Sfriso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Buosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Chiara Facca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Andrea Augusto Sfriso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Yari Tomio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Abdul-Salam Juhmani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Marion Adelheid Wolf
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Piero Franzoi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Luca Scapin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica (DAIS), Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30170 Mestre, Ve, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Ponis
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Michele Cornello
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Federico Rampazzo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Daniela Berto
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Claudia Gion
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Federica Oselladore
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Rossella Boscolo Brusà
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
| | - Andrea Bonometto
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, Ve, Italy.
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Xu J, Lu X, Liu X. Patterns of species and functional diversity of macrofaunal assemblages and the bioassessment of benthic ecological quality status in the southern Yellow Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 171:112784. [PMID: 34358791 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Macrofauna are useful indicators of benthic ecological quality status, which were studied in summer and autumn of 2020 in the southern Yellow Sea, China. A total of 134 species were identified, and polychaetes represented the most dominant group. The dominant species across both seasons were Ophiura sarsii vadicola, Trigonothracia jinxingae, Heteromastus filiforms, Ninoё palmata, Thyasira tokunagai, Sigambra hanaokai, Ehlersileanira incisa hwanghaiensis, and Portlandia japonica. The average values of macrofaunal abundance and biomass were 386.68 ind./m2 and 28.21 g/m2, respectively. Species diversity during the autumn was slightly higher than that in the summer. Seasonal variations in functional diversity were also observed. BIOENV results indicated that water depth, bottom water temperature, and sediment phaeophorbide content was the optimal combination of parameters to explain macrofaunal assemblage variation. Bioassessment results, based on H', AMBI, and M-AMBI, showed that most sites in the southern Yellow Sea could be classed as moderate or good status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xin Lu
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xiaoshou Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Guerra-García JM, Navarro-Barranco C, Ros M, Sedano F, Espinar R, Fernández-Romero A, Martínez-Laiz G, Cuesta JA, Giráldez I, Morales E, Florido M, Moreira J. Ecological quality assessement of marinas: An integrative approach combining biological and environmental data. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 286:112237. [PMID: 33676130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The importance of marinas as infrastructures for recreational boating is increasing substantially. However, information on their soft-bottom benthic communities, a key tool for managing programmes, is still scarce. We combined environment features with macro- and meiofaunal soft-bottom community information for assessing the ecological status of marinas with an integrative approach. To address this issue, we focused on eight marinas of the Southern Iberian Peninsula. Macro- and meiofauna data revealed high benthic heterogeneity at a spatial scale. The environmental variables which correlated best with macrofauna were mainly phosphorus, granulometry, and total organic carbon, and secondarily important variables were faecal coliforms, the biocide Irgarol, and heavy metals; total hydrocarbon concentration was also significant for meiofauna. Annelida was the dominant phylum in terms of number of species (37%) and abundance (66%) and were better descriptors of the environmental conditions than Arthropoda and Mollusca. Although identification to the species level is desirable and mandatory for assessing biological pollution, significant differences among marinas and correlations between fauna and abiotic variables were already detected at the level of family and order. This implies that biota assessment at higher levels may still be useful in monitoring programmes limited by time and budget constraints. The major novelty of this study lies in the development of an integrative assessment method based on the following selected ecological indicators: Marinas Environmental Pollution Index (MEPI), Biocontamination Index (BCI), macrofaunal biotic indices (AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX, MEDOCC and BENFES), macrofaunal taxa richness and Shannon-Wiener's diversity, and nematode:copepod index. This approach was able to discriminate marinas of the Southern Iberian Peninsula based on their ecological status, which ranged from poor to good. The method can be useful to design standards for assigning "sustainable quality seals" to those marinas with better values of ecological indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Guerra-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain.
| | - Carlos Navarro-Barranco
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Macarena Ros
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Sedano
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael Espinar
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Alejandro Fernández-Romero
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Gemma Martínez-Laiz
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Jose A Cuesta
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Avda. República Saharaui, 2, 11519, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Giráldez
- Dpto. Química "Prof. J.C. Vilchez Martín", Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales Research Center in Technology of Products and Chemical Processes, Pro(2)TecS Universidad de Huelva, Avda. Fuerzas Armadas, S/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Emilio Morales
- Dpto. Química "Prof. J.C. Vilchez Martín", Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales Research Center in Technology of Products and Chemical Processes, Pro(2)TecS Universidad de Huelva, Avda. Fuerzas Armadas, S/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain
| | - Marta Florido
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Moreira
- Departamento de Biología (Unidad de Zoología) & Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Joydas TV, Manokaran S, Borja A, Rabaoui L, Manikandan KP, Ashraf TTM, Aarif KM, Hussain SA, Baig MH, Shoeb M, Krishnakumar PK, Qurban MA. A baseline quantitative assessment of deep-sea benthic fauna of the Gulf of Aqaba (Northern Saudi Arabia, Red Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112028. [PMID: 33515822 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112028] [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: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Gulf of Aqaba (hereafter 'the Gulf') is a narrow, semi-enclosed, warm, high saline, and oligotrophic water body. This baseline study provides the first quantitative data on deep-sea (207-1281 m depth) benthos of the Gulf. Fifty-five benthic species (predominantly polychaetes) with a density of 160-670 ind. m-2, species richness of 11-25, and Shannon-Wiener diversity (H') of 3.14-4.17 bits. ind.-1 were recorded from nine stations. The density and H' of benthos of the Gulf are comparable with those of the Red Sea, while both are lower than those reported from the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The good-high ecological status of benthic communities indicates the absence of major stress in the deep-sea habitats of the Gulf. As large-scale urbanization is proposed in the Saudi coastal areas of the Gulf, this study is expected to provide a baseline dataset for future environmental impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thadickal V Joydas
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Seerangan Manokaran
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Spain; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karuppasamy P Manikandan
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - T T M Ashraf
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - K M Aarif
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed A Hussain
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Meerja H Baig
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Shoeb
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Periyadan K Krishnakumar
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A Qurban
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. B. No. 391, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Deputy-Ministry for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Pandey V, Venkatnarayanan S, Kumar PS, Ratnam K, Jha DK, Rajaguru S, Dharani G. Assessment of ecological health of Swarnamukhi river estuary, southeast coast of India, through AMBI indices and multivariate tools. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112031. [PMID: 33515835 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A combination of biotic indices, geo-accumulation (Igeo) index, and a multivariate approach were applied to assess the anthropogenic influence on the benthic community at five stations from 2018 to 2019 in the Swarnamukhi river estuary, Nellore, India. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis indicated that the Buckingham canal (BC) station showed azoic conditions and formed a separate cluster. Strong positive factor loadings of Cd (0.96), Al (0.93), Zn (0.91), Fe (0.90), Co (0.89), Cu (0.89), Ni (0.87), Pb (0.85), Cr (0.77), organic matter (0.94), Silt (0.92), and clay (0.93) and negative loading of sand (-0.90) showed the variability in sediment. AMBI results illustrated the disturbance status of each station and classified BC station as 'extremely disturbed' class, and M-AMBI assessed the ecological status as 'bad'. The Igeo index also revealed metal (Cd) contamination. The present study illustrated that the combined approach is effective for ecological assessment of coastal ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Pandey
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India.
| | - S Venkatnarayanan
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India
| | - P Sathish Kumar
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India
| | - Krupa Ratnam
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India
| | - Dilip Kumar Jha
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India.
| | - S Rajaguru
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India
| | - G Dharani
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India), Chennai 600100, India.
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Dauvin JC, Fersi A, Pezy JP, Bakalem A, Neifar L. Macrobenthic communities in the tidal channels around the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 162:111846. [PMID: 33229002 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111846] [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: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A yearlong seasonal survey was carried out during 2016-2017 at 26 stations representing four tidal channels of the north-western part of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia). The area studied (characterized by a maximum tidal range of 2.3 m) was subjected to diverse anthropogenic pressures: from the phosphate industry and its metallic pollution, unauthorized bottom trawling in shallow water (known locally as 'Kiss'), and organic pollution from the nearby urbanized areas. A total of 23,506 invertebrates representing 311 taxa were collected. Dominant taxa were the polychaetes with 51.4% of the individuals collected and 39.3% of the taxa, the amphipods (18.6% and 15.5%), the tanaids (12.3% and 2.6%), and the molluscs (11.5% and 18.3%). The mean annual abundances varied widely from one channel to another: from 300 to 3700 ind·m-2. The stations located in deeper waters exhibited greater variability. Measurements of abundance revealed seasonal changes with maximum values in winter, spring, and lower numbers in summer. Each tidal channel was characterized by specific features in the fauna. The macrofauna were dominated by the polychaete Cirratulus cirratus (mainly in spring) and the amphipod Microdeutopus anomalus (mainly in winter), whilst both of the tanaids, Apseudopsis gabesi (the first sighting reported for the area) and A. mediterraneus, were found to be abundant in winter in at least one of the four channels. Species are mainly deposit feeders, herbivorous and omnivorous. The analyses on spatial and temporal changes of the macrofauna population revealed variations according to the composition of the fauna increasing or falling along the channels and as a function of seasonal changes. In spite of a high level of anthropogenic activities, the Ecological Status (ES) assessment (applying the AMBI and M-AMBI indices) attributed High or Good ES for 10 stations, Moderate ES for 11 stations and five stations showed a poor ES at least during one season. Sampling subtidal stations in the future to survey long-term degradation of such ecosystems of the coastal environment of the Gulf of Gabès in Tunisia is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France.
| | - Abir Fersi
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France; Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, BP 1171, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jean-Philippe Pezy
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Ali Bakalem
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique (ENSA), Avenue Hassan Badi, 16200 El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Lassad Neifar
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière, CNRS, UMR 6143 M2C, 24 Rue des Tilleuls, 14000 Caen, France
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Li M, Liu Z, Zhang M, Chen Y. A workflow for spatio-seasonal hydro-chemical analysis using multivariate statistical techniques. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116550. [PMID: 33125990 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multivariate statistical techniques are powerful in data interpretation and pattern recognition, which play a vital role in pollutant source identification for water environment management. Despite of their wide application in hydro-chemical analysis, absence of a comprehensive workflow hinders the practices and further studies. The present study constructed a workflow on the application of multivariate statistical techniques in spatio-seasonal hydro-chemical analysis, which provided a basic guidance for practices and a systematic support to future exploration. Selection of the methods and work paths for spatio-seasonal analysis largely depends on the structure of data set and the requirements of specific tasks. Trial and adjustment could be repeatedly performed to optimize the analysis strategy and identify more underlying patterns. Given a multiscale dataset concerning complex spatio-seasonal variations, temporal or spatial grouping using appropriate methods to reasonably divide the complicated data set contributes to data interpretation and pattern recognition. The upper Yangtze River basin (UYRB, China) was employed for case analysis to demonstrate how the workflow guides an efficient and effective data exploration. Efforts could be made in future works to continually improve the workflow to involve more complicated analysis and techniques and the integrated application in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjie Li
- State Key Laboratory Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhaowei Liu
- State Key Laboratory Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Mingdong Zhang
- School of Software, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yongcan Chen
- State Key Laboratory Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Southwest University of Science and Technology, 59 Qinglong Road, Mianyang 621010, Sichuan, China
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Aylagas E, Borja A, Pochon X, Zaiko A, Keeley N, Bruce K, Hong P, Ruiz GM, Stein ED, Theroux S, Geraldi N, Ortega A, Gajdzik L, Coker DJ, Katan Y, Hikmawan T, Saleem A, Alamer S, Jones BH, Duarte CM, Pearman J, Carvalho S. Translational Molecular Ecology in practice: Linking DNA-based methods to actionable marine environmental management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 744:140780. [PMID: 32693276 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Molecular-based approaches can provide timely biodiversity assessments, showing an immense potential to facilitate decision-making in marine environmental management. However, the uptake of molecular data into environmental policy remains minimal. Here, we showcase a selection of local to global scale studies applying molecular-based methodologies for environmental management at various stages of implementation. Drawing upon lessons learned from these case-studies, we provide a roadmap to facilitate applications of DNA-based methods to marine policies and to overcome the existing challenges. The main impediment identified is the need for standardized protocols to guarantee data comparison across spatial and temporal scales. Adoption of Translational Molecular Ecology - the sustained collaboration between molecular ecologists and stakeholders, will enhance consensus with regards to the objectives, methods, and outcomes of environmental management projects. Establishing a sustained dialogue among stakeholders is key to accelerating the adoption of molecular-based approaches for marine monitoring and assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Aylagas
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Angel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia, Portualdea s/n, 20110 Pasaia, Spain
| | - Xavier Pochon
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 349, Warkworth 0941, New Zealand
| | - Anastasija Zaiko
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 349, Warkworth 0941, New Zealand
| | - Nigel Keeley
- Benthic Resources and Processors Group, Institute of Marine Research, Postboks 6606 Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kat Bruce
- Nature Metrics Ltd, CABI site, Bakeham Lane, Egham TW20 9TY, United Kingdom
| | - Peiying Hong
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gregory M Ruiz
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA; Aquatic Bioinvasion Research and Policy Institute, Environmental Science and Management, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Eric D Stein
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1437, USA
| | - Susanna Theroux
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1437, USA
| | - Nathan Geraldi
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alejandra Ortega
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laura Gajdzik
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Darren J Coker
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Katan
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 3131, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tyas Hikmawan
- Environmental Protection Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran 3131, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ammar Saleem
- The General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection, The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alamer
- The General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection, The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia
| | - Burton H Jones
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - John Pearman
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand
| | - Susana Carvalho
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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Jayachandran PR, Jima M, Philomina J, Bijoy Nandan S. Assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate response to anthropogenic and natural disturbances in the Kodungallur-Azhikode estuary, southwest coast of India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:626. [PMID: 32897415 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08582-x] [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: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Benthic biotic indices are important ecological tools extensively used to understand the ecological quality of coastal wetlands. The present study aimed to assess the ecological status of Kodungallur-Azhikode estuary for the first time by using widely used benthic indices such as species richness (S), Shannon diversity index (H'log2), BENTIX, benthic opportunistic polychaetes amphipods (BOPA), AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and multivariate AMBI (M-AMBI). In the canonical correspondence analysis, salinity, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, sediment Eh, sediment pH and sand were identified as important variance descriptors. A single species of an opportunist, Americorophium triaeonyx, an amphipod belonging to the ecological group (EG) III, significantly contributed to the total macrofaunal density. Other dominant opportunistic species included Obelia bidentata (EGII), Arcuatula senhousia (EGIII), Cirolana fluviatilis (EGII), Prionospio cirrifera (EGIV) and Capitella sp. (EGV). The overall assessment indicated a 'good to moderate' condition in AMBI, 'good to poor' condition in M-AMBI, 'high to moderate' condition in BENTIX, 'high to poor' condition in BOPA and 'moderate to poor' condition in univariate Shannon diversity index. All the multivariate indices tested in the study were correlated with each other except BOPA and M-AMBI. The group of stations dominated with a sandy substrate and a moderate level of organic content indicated high to good conditions while other stations demonstrated moderate to poor conditions. However, no significant variation in indices tested between seasons was observed. The present study recommends long-term monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages with proper taxonomic identification and functional trait analysis for better calibration of indices, which is the key factor for getting better results.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Jayachandran
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Lakeside Campus, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India.
| | - M Jima
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Lakeside Campus, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India
| | - J Philomina
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Lakeside Campus, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India
| | - S Bijoy Nandan
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Lakeside Campus, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India.
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Morroni L, d'Errico G, Sacchi M, Molisso F, Armiento G, Chiavarini S, Rimauro J, Guida M, Siciliano A, Ceparano M, Aliberti F, Tosti E, Gallo A, Libralato G, Patti FP, Gorbi S, Fattorini D, Nardi A, Di Carlo M, Mezzelani M, Benedetti M, Pellegrini D, Musco L, Danovaro R, Dell'Anno A, Regoli F. Integrated characterization and risk management of marine sediments: The case study of the industrialized Bagnoli area (Naples, Italy). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 160:104984. [PMID: 32907722 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the practical importance of a multidisciplinary approach and weighted criteria to synthesize and integrate different typologies of data (or lines of evidence, LOEs), including chemical levels in marine sediments, their bioavailability to specific indicator species, ecotoxicological effects measured through subcellular biomarkers and batteries of bioassays, and potential impacts of pollution on local benthic communities. The area of Bagnoli (Gulf of Naples, Southern Italy) was selected as a model case-study, as it is a coastal area chronically impacted by massive industrial contamination (trace metals and hydrocarbons), and dismissed decades ago without any subsequent remediation or habitat restoration. The results of each LOE were elaborated to provide specific hazard indices before their overall integration in a weight of evidence (WOE) evaluation. Levels of some trace metals and PAHs revealed a severe contamination in the entire study area. Bioavailability of hydrocarbons was evident particularly for high molecular weight PAHs, which also caused significant variations of cellular biomarkers, such as cytochrome P450 metabolization in fish, lysosomal membrane destabilization in mussels, genotoxic effects both in fish and molluscs. The results of a battery of bioassays indicated less marked responses compared to those obtained from chemical and biomarkers analyses, with acute toxicity still present in sediments close to the source of contamination. The analysis of benthic assemblages showed limited evidence of impact in the whole area, indicating a good functioning of local ecosystems at chronic contamination. Overall, the results of this study confirm the need of combining chemical and biological data, the quantitative characterization of various typologies of hazard and the importance of assessing an integrated environmental WOE risk, to orientate specific and scientifically-supported management options in industrialized areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Morroni
- Istituto Superiore per La Protezione e La Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via del Cedro 38, 57122, Livorno, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe d'Errico
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Sacchi
- Istituto di Scienze Marine CNR-ISMAR, Calata Porta di Massa 80, 80133, Napoli, Italy
| | - Flavia Molisso
- Istituto di Scienze Marine CNR-ISMAR, Calata Porta di Massa 80, 80133, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanna Armiento
- ENEA, Dipartimento Sostenibilità, CR Casaccia, via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Roma, Italy
| | - Salvatore Chiavarini
- ENEA, Dipartimento Sostenibilità, CR Casaccia, via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Roma, Italy
| | - Juri Rimauro
- ENEA, Dipartimento Sostenibilità, CR Portici, P.le Enrico Fermi 1, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Siciliano
- Department of Biology, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Ceparano
- Department of Biology, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Aliberti
- Department of Biology, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Gorbi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniele Fattorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Nardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marta Di Carlo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marica Mezzelani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maura Benedetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - David Pellegrini
- Istituto Superiore per La Protezione e La Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via del Cedro 38, 57122, Livorno, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Dell'Anno
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
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41
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Llanos EN, Saracho Bottero MA, Jaubet ML, Elías R, Garaffo GV. Functional diversity in the intertidal macrobenthic community at sewage-affected shores from Southwestern Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 157:111365. [PMID: 32658710 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sewage pollution effect in a coastal area of the Southwestern Atlantic was tested, through the use of analysis of biological traits (BTA) and functional indices. Changes in the macrobenthic functional structure between the sewage outfall site and remote sites were observed. At the site in the discharge point, functional features related to organic enrichment were observed, such as deposit feeders, burrow dwellers and inhabitants of tubes, with low relative mobility and opportunistic species of the first and the second order. The functional indexes (Evenness, Dispersion, and Functional Specialization) showed the highest values in the sites far from the discharge point. The AMBI was positively correlated with FRic and negatively with FEve and FSpe. The opposite occurred with the M-AMBI. BTA and functional indices showed the changes that occurred due to sewage impacts in the benthic assemblages on rocky coasts in SW Atlantic. Sewage pollution effect in a coastal area of the Southwestern Atlantic was tested, through the use of functional diversity metrics (analysis of biological traits and functional indices). Biological samples were taken during spring and autumn (2015-2016), in four sampling sites distributed at different distances from the sewage outfall. Changes in the macrobenthic functional structure between the sewage outfall site and remote sites were observed. The functional indexes (Evenness, Dispersion, and Functional Specialization) showed the highest values in the sites far from the discharge point. Correlations between functional and environmental quality indices (AMBI and M-AMBI) were significant. The AMBI was positively correlated with Functional Richness and negatively with Functional Evenness and Functional Specialization. The opposite occurred with the M-AMBI. The analysis of biological traits and functional diversity indices represent informative and useful tools to describe the different aspects of sewage impacts in the benthic assemblages on rocky coasts in SW Atlantic. At the site in the discharge point, functional features related to organic enrichment were observed, such as deposit feeders, burrow dwellers and inhabitants of tubes, with low relative mobility and opportunistic species of the first and the second order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Noemi Llanos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - María Andrea Saracho Bottero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - María Lourdes Jaubet
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Elías
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Griselda Valeria Garaffo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
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42
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Saracho Bottero MA, Jaubet ML, Llanos EN, Becherucci ME, Elías R, Garaffo GV. Spatial-temporal variations of a SW Atlantic macrobenthic community affected by a chronic anthropogenic disturbance. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 156:111189. [PMID: 32365002 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effect of the chronic anthropogenic disturbance in a coastal area of the SW-Atlantic was tested through a multimetric-approach. This study integrates environmental variables, biotic indices of environmental quality, and changes in alpha and beta diversity. The outfall site showed high percentages of organic matter, silt and clay in sediment and high concentration of Enterococcus in seawater. The invasive polychaete Boccardia proboscidea dominated the outfall site, while the ecosystem engineer Brachidontes rodriguezii dominated the non-impacted sites. Regarding partitioning of beta diversity the species loss (nestedness) at outfall site would be the process that drives the patterns found. Moreover, outfall site presented the lowest environmental health values in both spring and autumn. This community-level integrated analysis provides useful tools to consider when making decisions regarding coastal management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Saracho Bottero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina.
| | - M L Jaubet
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina
| | - E N Llanos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina
| | - M E Becherucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina
| | - R Elías
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina
| | - G V Garaffo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, (IIMYC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEYN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). CC1260, 7600 Mar del Plata. Argentina
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43
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Lanzén A, Mendibil I, Borja Á, Alonso-Sáez L. A microbial mandala for environmental monitoring: Predicting multiple impacts on estuarine prokaryote communities of the Bay of Biscay. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:2969-2987. [PMID: 32479653 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Routine monitoring of benthic biodiversity is critical for managing and understanding the anthropogenic impacts on marine, transitional and freshwater ecosystems. However, traditional reliance on morphological identification generally makes it cost-prohibitive to increase the scale of monitoring programmes. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA has clear potential to overcome many of the problems associated with traditional monitoring, with prokaryotes and other microorganisms showing particular promise as bioindicators. However, due to the limited knowledge regarding the ecological roles and responses of environmental microorganisms to different types of pressure, the use of de novo approaches is necessary. Here, we use two such approaches for the prediction of multiple impacts present in estuaries and coastal areas of the Bay of Biscay based on microbial communities. The first (Random Forests) is a machine learning method while the second (Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis and quantile regression splines) is based on de novo identification of bioindicators. Our results show that both methods overlap considerably in the indicator taxa identified, but less for sequence variants. Both methods also perform well in spite of the complexity of the studied ecosystem, providing predictive models with strong correlation to reference values and fair to good agreement with ecological status groups. The ability to predict several specific types of pressure is especially appealing. The cross-validated models and biotic indices developed can be directly applied to predict the environmental status of estuaries in the same geographical region, although more work is needed to evaluate and improve them for use in new regions or habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Lanzén
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Iñaki Mendibil
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Ángel Borja
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Laura Alonso-Sáez
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
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44
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Main Anthropogenic Impacts on Benthic Macrofauna of Sandy Beaches: A Review. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8060405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sandy beaches provide several ecosystem services such as coastal protection and resilience, water filtration and nutrient mineralization. Beaches also represent a hub for social, cultural and economic relationships as well as educational activities. Increasing urbanization, recreational activities and mechanical beach cleaning represent major anthropogenic disturbances on sandy beaches leading to loss of biodiversity as well as good and services. Information about the impacts of anthropogenic pressures on benthic macrofaunal communities could be useful to assess the environmental status of sandy beaches and to promote a sustainable use of beach ecosystem. Here, scientific articles about three major anthropogenic impacts on sandy beach macrofauna were reviewed to provide the state of knowledge about these impacts, to highlight gaps, to supply considerations about the methodologies and the used indicators and to give insights for future studies. The stressors considered in our review are: 1) trampling, 2) breakwater barriers, 3) mechanical beach cleaning. This review underlined that there are few studies regarding individual human disturbances on sandy beach macrofauna and specifically, there is a lack of sufficient indicator species for the assessment of such stressors. Similarly, the researches have covered specific regions, highlighting the need for such studies in other parts of the world. In particular, the impacts of breakwater barriers on surrounding communities has been found to be given less attention in the literature and there is enough that could be explored.
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Izegaegbe JI, Vivier L, Mzimela HM. Trace metal contamination in sediment in the Mhlathuze Estuary, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: effects on the macrobenthic community. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:401. [PMID: 32468333 PMCID: PMC7256079 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mhlathuze Estuary constitutes one of the ecological most important estuaries in southern Africa and is regarded as an estuary of high conservation importance. The ongoing expansion of the adjacent industrialized Richards Bay Harbour increases the risk of metal pollution to the estuary. This study provides insight into the extent and sources of trace metal contamination using pollution indices and sediment quality guidelines and the effect on macrobenthic habitat quality. Sediment samples for sediment metal and macrobenthic analysis were collected quarterly during 2016-2017 at five sites in the estuary using a marine-grade Zabalocki grab. Metal concentrations were determined using an ICP-OES. Sediment metal concentrations were consistently highest in the subtidal mudflats and lowest in marine sand at the mouth of the estuary. Concentrations of all metals displayed significant differences between sites (P < 0.05). Pollution indices indicated moderate enrichment of Cr at all sites, although the mean pollution load index showed the estuary to be unpolluted. Comparison with sediment quality guidelines revealed that concentrations of Ni and Cr were potentially toxic to biota. Using multivariate analysis, metal concentrations appeared not to significantly affect the macrobenthic community. The multi-metric biotic index M-AMBI proved to be a robust tool in the habitat quality assessment of the estuary. The continuing use of M-AMBI as a biomonitoring tool for ecological management of the estuary is advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Idowu Izegaegbe
- Department of Zoology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa.
- Department of Zoology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.
| | - Leon Vivier
- Department of Zoology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa
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46
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Frühe L, Cordier T, Dully V, Breiner HW, Lentendu G, Pawlowski J, Martins C, Wilding TA, Stoeck T. Supervised machine learning is superior to indicator value inference in monitoring the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture using eDNA metabarcodes. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:2988-3006. [PMID: 32285497 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Increasing anthropogenic impact and global change effects on natural ecosystems has prompted the development of less expensive and more efficient bioassessments methodologies. One promising approach is the integration of DNA metabarcoding in environmental monitoring. A critical step in this process is the inference of ecological quality (EQ) status from identified molecular bioindicator signatures that mirror environmental classification based on standard macroinvertebrate surveys. The most promising approaches to infer EQ from biotic indices (BI) are supervised machine learning (SML) and the calculation of indicator values (IndVal). In this study we compared the performance of both approaches using DNA metabarcodes of bacteria and ciliates as bioindicators obtained from 152 samples collected from seven Norwegian salmon farms. Results from standard macroinvertebrate-monitoring of the same samples were used as reference to compare the accuracy of both approaches. First, SML outperformed the IndVal approach to infer EQ from eDNA metabarcodes. The Random Forest (RF) algorithm appeared to be less sensitive to noisy data (a typical feature of massive environmental sequence data sets) and uneven data coverage across EQ classes (a typical feature of environmental compliance monitoring scheme) compared to a widely used method to infer IndVals for the calculation of a BI. Second, bacteria allowed for a more accurate EQ assessment than ciliate eDNA metabarcodes. For the implementation of DNA metabarcoding into routine monitoring programmes to assess EQ around salmon aquaculture cages, we therefore recommend bacterial DNA metabarcodes in combination with SML to classify EQ categories based on molecular signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Frühe
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Tristan Cordier
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Verena Dully
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Hans-Werner Breiner
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Guillaume Lentendu
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jan Pawlowski
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,ID-Gene Ecodiagnostics Ltd, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
| | | | - Thomas A Wilding
- Scottish Marine Institute, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland
| | - Thorsten Stoeck
- Ecology Group, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Cranford P, Brager L, Elvines D, Wong D, Law B. A revised classification system describing the ecological quality status of organically enriched marine sediments based on total dissolved sulfides. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 154:111088. [PMID: 32319917 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A field study is presented that provides an alternative method and system for classifying the ecological quality status (EQS) of organically enriched marine sediments based on total free sulfide concentrations (S2-). Sediments collected adjacent to coastal aquaculture activities across a broad biogeographic range were analysed using three S2- methods. S2- is a product of organic matter mineralization and is a major cause of benthic community impacts from excess organic enrichment. The results confirm that the ion-selective electrode protocol that is widely used in monitoring programs to classify benthic impacts provides unreliable data and site classifications. An EQS classification system is presented that employs S2- data measured rapidly and simply in the field by direct ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Interrelations between S2- concentrations and several benthic macrofauna community health metrics were employed to develop the EQS system. These relationships were consistent regardless of organic matter source, geographic region or sediment grain size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Cranford
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.
| | - Lindsay Brager
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
| | | | - David Wong
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Brent Law
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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48
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Multiannual Trend of Micro-Pollutants in Sediments and Benthic Community Response in a Mediterranean Lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Italy). WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12041074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Long-term variations of ecological status in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Northern Adriatic) were investigated, combining data on the concentration of surface sediment contaminants and on the structure of the macrobenthic community. The aim was to assess any amount of chemical contamination and check the response of the macrobenthic community to sediment contamination. Over the studied period, the sediments of the lagoon showed contamination by trace metals and organochlorine pesticides, with most of them exceeding the thresholds indicated by the Italian legislation in many samples. Contamination by polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) instead never exceeded the threshold. The ecological status based on the macrobenthic community, evaluated through biotic indices (AMBI and M-AMBI), fell below the Good/Moderate threshold in most samples. The results indicate a possible influence of toxic compounds in sediment on benthic organisms, but most of the variability shown by the macrobenthic community is probably due to other factors. The difficulty in establishing a cause/effect relationship was due to the co-occurrence and variability of various stressors (both natural and anthropogenic) and their interactions. The methods currently used for monitoring transitional waters thus seem insufficient to disentangle the effect of pollutants and other environmental variables on the benthos. Integrated approaches (e.g., bioaccumulation and toxicity tests) are thus needed for a more precise identification of the risk posed by a high concentration of pollutants in such environments.
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49
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D'Alessandro M, Porporato EMD, Esposito V, Giacobbe S, Deidun A, Nasi F, Ferrante L, Auriemma R, Berto D, Renzi M, Scotti G, Consoli P, Del Negro P, Andaloro F, Romeo T. Common patterns of functional and biotic indices in response to multiple stressors in marine harbours ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 259:113959. [PMID: 32023803 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Evaluating the effects of anthropogenic pressure on the marine environment is one of the focal objectives in identifying strategies for its use, conservation and restoration. In this paper, we assessed the effects of chemical pollutants, grain size and plastic litter on functional traits, biodiversity and biotic indices. The study was conducted on the benthic communities of three harbours in the central Mediterranean Sea: Malta, Augusta and Syracuse, subjected to different levels of anthropogenic stress (high, medium and low, respectively). Six traits were considered, subdivided into 22 categories: reproductive frequency, environmental position, mobility, life habit, feeding habit and bioturbation. Functional diversity indices analysed were: Functional Divergence, Quadratic Entropy, Functional Evenness and Functional Richness. To assess the trait responses to environmental gradients, we applied RLQ analysis, which considers simultaneously the relationship between three components: environmental data (R), species abundances (L) and species traits (Q). From our analyses, significant relationships (P-value = 0.0018 for permutation of samples, and P-value = 0.00027 for permutation of species) between functional traits and environmental data were highlighted. The trait categories significantly influenced by environmental variables were those representing feeding habits and mobility. In particular, the first category was influenced by chemical pollutants (organotin compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and grain size (silt and sand), while the latter category was influenced only by chemical pollutants. Pearson correlations performed for functional vs biotic and diversity indices confirmed the validity of the chosen conceptual framework for harbour environments. Finally, linear models assessing the influence of stressors on functional parameters underlined the link between environmental data vs benthic and functional indices. Our results highlight the fact that functional trait analysis provides a useful and fast method for detecting in greater depth the effects of multiple stressors on functional diversity in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela D'Alessandro
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Erika M D Porporato
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155-30170, Venezia, Mestre, Italy.
| | - Valentina Esposito
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giacobbe
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres, 31-98166 S, Agata, Messina, Italy
| | - Alain Deidun
- Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida, MSD, 2080, Malta
| | - Federica Nasi
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Larissa Ferrante
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rocco Auriemma
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Daniela Berto
- ISPRA Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Laboratory of Chioggia, Italy
| | - Monia Renzi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015, Orbetello, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Scotti
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Zoological Station Anton Dorhn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Paola Del Negro
- OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Zoological Station Anton Dorhn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy; Zoological Station Anton Dorhn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
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Dimitriou PD, Chatzinikolaou E, Arvanitidis C. Ecological status assessment based on benthic macrofauna of three Mediterranean ports: Comparisons across seasons, activities and regions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110997. [PMID: 32275546 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to compare anthropogenic impacts in three Mediterranean ports (Cagliari-Italy, Heraklion-Greece, El-Kantatoui-Tunisia) employing benthic macrofaunal indices, used in the context of the European Water Framework Directive. Sampling stations were selected within ports according to sector usage categorization and sampled over three seasons. Benthic indices calculated include M-AMBI, BENTIX, BQI and BQI_Family. Comparisons were made between the indices values and ecological status (ES) of each station within and between ports. Overall, few statistically significant differences were observed across different seasons or different stations with the same usage within or across ports. The ES of sampling stations in the leisure/fishing and passenger/cargo ships sectors was mostly "good" or "moderate", while the shipyard sector had "poor" ES. The results suggest that the indices used were suitable for assessing the ES of Mediterranean ports, led to comparable results even across different countries and contribute to the adaptation of specific port monitoring guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis D Dimitriou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Eva Chatzinikolaou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Christos Arvanitidis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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