Space-time monitoring of coastal pollution in the Gulf of Gaeta, Italy, using δ15N values of Ulva lactuca, landscape hydromorphology, and Bayesian Kriging modelling. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rossi, Loreto; Calizza, Edoardo; Careddu, Giulio; Rossi, David; Orlandi, Lucia; Jona-Lasinio, Giovanna; Aguzzi, Laura; Costantini, Maria Letizia
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 126(2018)
• Page Start: 479
• Page End: 487
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Water pollution -- Urbanisation -- Isoseascapes -- Coastal management -- River input -- Bayesian Kriging; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: We investigated the space-time dynamics of N pollution in a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Gaeta) by means of δ 15 N variation in seaweed fronds ( Ulva lactuca ) previously collected from an unpolluted habitat. We used a comprehensive deployment grid that enabled the generation of isotopic seascapes (isoseascapes) describing the topography of N pollution in coastal waters and identifying N input hotspots and their pathways of dispersion at sea. The δ 15 N values of U. lactuca increased during 48 h of exposure to the gulf waters, indicating anthropogenic N inputs from wastewater-derived sources. Comparison of the isoseascapes between two years differing in terms of rainfall identified coastal and offshore areas that were vulnerable to freshwater-transported nutrients, consistent with terrestrial hydromorphology and sea surface-water circulation. Isoseacapes were robust enough to reduce deployment effort, representing a powerful tool for monitoring and management strategies and useful for Environmental Protection Agencies, the main target audience of applied ecological research. Highlights: Dynamics of N pollution in Gulf of Gaeta (It) has been studied by δ 15 N in U. lactuca. Isotopic seascapes describe the topography of N pollution in coastal waters. Areas vulnerable to N inputs, consistent with terrestrial hydromorphology, were identified. Isoscapes were robust to reduce deployment effort, representing a powerful tool for sea monitoring.