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Coastal Lagoon Ecology
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Coastal Lagoon Ecology

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2022) | Viewed by 27304

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Juan Miguel Soria

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
Interests: water quality; ecology; water resources management; water analysis; remote sensing; hydrology; water quality monitoring; freshwater ecology; aquatic ecosystems; lagoon plankton
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the ecology of coastal lagoons. Recent findings indicate that lagoon environments have rapidly changed due to human activities and global warming over the past several decades. This change has led to significant variations in ecology. For example, the long-term increase in temperatures due to global warming has facilitated the intensification of algal blooms, and it will cause a rise in sea level and disappearance of water bodies. Thus, extensive studies have been conducted, but there is still a knowledge gap in terms of our understanding of the variation in the ecology of coastal lagoons in accordance with future coastal environmental changes. To fill this gap, studies on the hydrology, water quality, vegetation, time series, loss of ecosystems, and taxonomy and ecology of plankton are highly necessary.

We invite researchers to submit research articles that enable us to advance our understanding of the ecology of coastal lagoons. The scope of this Special Issue covers all aspects of ecology in a wide sense.

Prof. Dr. Juan Miguel Soria
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Time series
  • Hydrology
  • Environmental changes
  • Water quality
  • Plankton ecology
  • Phytoplankton and zooplankton taxonomy
  • Remote sensing approaches
  • Human impacts: agriculture, aquaculture, tourism

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1346 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Water Quality and Phytoplankton Structure of Eight Alexandria Beaches, Southeastern Mediterranean Sea, Egypt
by Ahmed E. Alprol, Mohamed Ashour, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Othman M. Alzahrani, Samy F. Mahmoud and Samiha M. Gharib
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(12), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9121328 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4780
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the abundance, community, and structure of phytoplankton, physicochemical parameters, and some eutrophication state indices, to estimate the water quality of eight selected beaches along the Alexandria Coast, in the southeast of the Mediterranean Sea. The samples were collected [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the abundance, community, and structure of phytoplankton, physicochemical parameters, and some eutrophication state indices, to estimate the water quality of eight selected beaches along the Alexandria Coast, in the southeast of the Mediterranean Sea. The samples were collected monthly from 2019 to 2020. Nutrient values ranged from 1.54 to 33.21 µM for nitrate, 0.01 to 1.98 µM for nitrite, 0.12 to 9.45 µM for ammonia, 0.01 to 1.54 µM for phosphate, and 0.67 to 29.53 µM for silicate. Phytoplankton biomass was characterized by chlorophyll-a concentration, which fluctuated between 0.12 and 12.31 µg L−1. The annual phytoplankton average was 63.85 ± 17.83 × 103 cells L−1. Phytoplankton was highly diversified (228 taxa), and the most diversified group was diatoms (136 taxa), followed by a remarkably low number of Dinophyta (36 taxa). Diatoms reached maximum abundance in December. Meanwhile, a dense bloom of microalga Chlorella marina occurred in June on some beaches. High temperature, high dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and less-saline waters have supported green algal proliferation. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) showed that there was a qualitative seasonal difference in the composition of the phytoplankton community. Waters of beaches 1–3 were classified as between clean and moderately polluted; and beaches 4–8 varied between moderately and heavily polluted. The study revealed that human activities might have triggered the algal bloom and may be responsible for alterations in the Alexandria coast ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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14 pages, 1909 KiB  
Article
Benthic Diatoms on Sheltered Coastal Soft Bottoms (Baltic Sea)—Seasonal Community Production and Respiration
by Ulf Karsten, Kana Kuriyama, Thomas Hübener and Jana Woelfel
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090949 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2909
Abstract
Benthic diatom communities dominate sheltered shallow inner coastal waters of the atidal Southern Baltic Sea. However, their photosynthetic oxygen production and respiratory oxygen consumption is rarely evaluated. In the Baltic Sea carbon budget benthic diatom communities are often not included, since phytoplankton is [...] Read more.
Benthic diatom communities dominate sheltered shallow inner coastal waters of the atidal Southern Baltic Sea. However, their photosynthetic oxygen production and respiratory oxygen consumption is rarely evaluated. In the Baltic Sea carbon budget benthic diatom communities are often not included, since phytoplankton is regarded as the main primary producer. Therefore, two wind-protected stations (2–49-cm depths) were investigated between July 2010 and April 2012 using undisturbed sediment cores in combination with planar oxygen optodes. We expected strong fluctuations in the biological activity parameters in the incubated cores over the course of the seasons. The sediment particles at both stations were dominated by fine sand with a median grain size of 131–138 µm exhibiting an angular shape with many edges, which were less mobile compared to exposed coastal sites of the Southern Baltic Sea. These sand grains inhabited dense communities of rather small epipsammic diatoms (<10 µm). Chlorophyll a as a biomass parameter for benthic diatoms fluctuated from 64.8 to 277.3-mg Chl. a m−2 sediment surface. The net primary production and respiration rates exhibited strong variations across the different months at both stations, ranging from 12.9 to 56.9 mg O2 m−2 h−1 and from −6.4 to −137.6 mg O2 m−2 h−1, respectively. From these data, a gross primary production of 13.4 to 59.5 mg C m−2 h−1 was calculated. The results presented confirmed strong seasonal changes (four-fold amplitude) for the activity parameters and, hence, provided important production biological information for sheltered sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea. These data clearly indicate that benthic diatoms, although often ignored until now, represent a key component in the primary production of these coastal habitats when compared to similar studies at other locations of the Baltic Sea and, hence, should be considered in any carbon budget model of this brackish water ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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16 pages, 12838 KiB  
Article
Multiple Evidence for Climate Patterns Influencing Ecosystem Productivity across Spatial Gradients in the Venice Lagoon
by Camilla Bertolini, Edouard Royer and Roberto Pastres
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(4), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9040363 - 29 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
Effects of climatic changes in transitional ecosystems are often not linear, with some areas likely experiencing faster or more intense responses, which something important to consider in the perspective of climate forecasting. In this study of the Venice lagoon, time series of the [...] Read more.
Effects of climatic changes in transitional ecosystems are often not linear, with some areas likely experiencing faster or more intense responses, which something important to consider in the perspective of climate forecasting. In this study of the Venice lagoon, time series of the past decade were used, and primary productivity was estimated from hourly oxygen data using a published model. Temporal and spatial patterns of water temperature, salinity and productivity time series were identified by applying clustering analysis. Phytoplankton and nutrient data from long-term surveys were correlated to primary productivity model outputs. pmax, the maximum oxygen production rate in a given day, was found to positively correlate with plankton variables measured in surveys. Clustering analysis showed the occurrence of summer heatwaves in 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2018 and three warm prolonged summers (2012, 2017, 2019) coincided with lower summer pmax values. Spatial effects in terms of temperature were found with segregation between confined and open areas, although the patterns varied from year to year. Production and respiration differences showed that the lagoon, despite seasonality, was overall heterotrophic, with internal water bodies having greater values of heterotrophy. Warm, dry years with high salinity had lower degrees of summer autotrophy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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15 pages, 6188 KiB  
Article
Influence of Wind on Suspended Matter in the Water of the Albufera of Valencia (Spain)
by Juan Soria, Miguel Jover and José Antonio Domínguez-Gómez
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030343 - 20 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2428
Abstract
Wind significantly influences suspended matter in lakes, especially in shallow lagoons. To know how wind affects the water in Albufera of Valencia, a shallow coastal lagoon, the measured variables of turbidity and transparency have been correlated with the estimates by processing Sentinel-2 satellite [...] Read more.
Wind significantly influences suspended matter in lakes, especially in shallow lagoons. To know how wind affects the water in Albufera of Valencia, a shallow coastal lagoon, the measured variables of turbidity and transparency have been correlated with the estimates by processing Sentinel-2 satellite images with the Sen2Cor processor. Data from four years of study of winds show that most of them are light to gentle easterly breezes and moderate to fresh westerly breezes. The obtained results show significant correlations between the measured variables and those obtained from the satellite images for total suspended matter and water transparency, as well as with the average daily wind speed. There is no significant correlation between wind and chlorophyll a. Moderate to fresh breezes resuspend the fine sediment reaching concentration values from 100 to 300 mg L−1 according to satellite data. However, it is necessary to obtain field data for the values of moderate and fresh winds, as for now, there are no experimental data to verify the validity of the satellite estimates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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17 pages, 2260 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Microbiological Coastal Water Quality Determination along the Department of Atlántico (Colombia): Relationships with Beach Characteristics
by Zamira E. Soto-Varela, David Rosado-Porto, Hernando José Bolívar-Anillo, Camila Pichón González, Bertha Granados Pantoja, Dalidier Estrada Alvarado and Giorgio Anfuso
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9020122 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3831
Abstract
Beach water quality is an important factor concerning public health and tourism linked to the “Sun, Sea and Sand” market and is usually assessed in international regulations by the quantification of Escherichia coli and enterococci counts. Despite Salmonella spp. detection not being included [...] Read more.
Beach water quality is an important factor concerning public health and tourism linked to the “Sun, Sea and Sand” market and is usually assessed in international regulations by the quantification of Escherichia coli and enterococci counts. Despite Salmonella spp. detection not being included in international normative, the presence/absence of this bacteria is also an indicator of seawater quality. The objective of this study was to determine microbiological quality of beach water at 14 beaches along the Department of Atlántico (Colombia) and its relationship with beach characteristics as beach typology (i.e., urban, village, rural and remote areas), presence of beach facilities (e.g., bars, restaurants, etc.) and streams outflowing into the coastline. Sampling program aimed to analyse E. coli and Salmonella spp., by culture-based and real time PCR methods, respectively. Microbiological outcomes were compared with beach characteristics, and a cluster analysis was performed. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were detected in 70% and 20% of samples, respectively. Highest E. coli counts were observed at beaches classified as urban and at Sabanilla, a rural beach with presence of numerous beach restaurants/bars. Salmonella spp. presence was associated with streams that lack wastewater treatment systems. Cluster analysis clearly evidenced the relationship between E. coli and Salmonella spp. and beach characteristics, allowing to obtain indications to implement management programs. According to data obtained, monitoring programs have to be especially carried out in urban areas and at places with beach facilities. This could enhance microbiological water quality and consequently, beachgoers safety and touristic beach attractiveness to international visitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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12 pages, 6349 KiB  
Article
An Ecological Risk Assessment of Sediments in a Developing Environment—Batticaloa Lagoon, Sri Lanka
by Madurya Adikaram, Amarasooriya Pitawala, Hiroaki Ishiga, Daham Jayawardana and Carla M. Eichler
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9010073 - 13 Jan 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3662
Abstract
The land-sea interface is considered as a threatening environment due to anthropogenic development activities. Unplanned developments can cause effects on important ecosystems, water and human health as well. In this study, the influence of rapid regional development on the accumulation of trace elements [...] Read more.
The land-sea interface is considered as a threatening environment due to anthropogenic development activities. Unplanned developments can cause effects on important ecosystems, water and human health as well. In this study, the influence of rapid regional development on the accumulation of trace elements to the sediments of an important ecosystem, Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka was examined. Surface sediment pollution status and ecological risk was compared with that of the recent sedimentary history of about 1 m depth. Sediment core samples were collected and analyzed for grain size, organic matter and carbonate contents and trace elements (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr) by the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technique. The chemical results of core samples and recently published data of surface sediments of the same project were evaluated by pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQG). Except for Cr, all other elements in cores show lower concentrations than the SQGs confirming the high Cr contents as recorded in the most of other Sri Lankan sediments. The sediment cores indicate an unpolluted, low ecological risk sedimentary history for all core sampling locations, whereas most of the surface sediments of the lagoon are less polluted with low potential ecological risk. Present anthropogenic practices and illiteracy of this rapid developing region can damage the green environment and hence environmental management planning is suggested for a sustainable future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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Review

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17 pages, 3501 KiB  
Review
Mediterranean Coastal Lagoons Review: Sites to Visit before Disappearance
by Juan Soria, Rebeca Pérez and Xavier Sòria-Pepinyà
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030347 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4869
Abstract
Coastal lagoons are an established priority habitat in the European environment because of the biological communities that inhabit them. Their origin is related to the transport of sediments from a nearby river or the movement of sands by the marine currents that produce [...] Read more.
Coastal lagoons are an established priority habitat in the European environment because of the biological communities that inhabit them. Their origin is related to the transport of sediments from a nearby river or the movement of sands by the marine currents that produce the closure of a gulf. Therefore, they are recent geological formations, which also disappear quickly if environmental conditions change. The 37 coastal lagoons with a surface area greater than 10 km2 located in the Mediterranean basin have been identified. Fishing has been the traditional use of these lagoons, in addition to their use as a navigation harbor when they are open to the sea. Pollution, quality problems and their consequences are the most studied topics in recent publications. Sentinel-2 images taken in the summer of 2020 have been used to study water transparency, suspended matter and chlorophyll a concentration. The result was that only six of them are in good ecological condition, but most of them are eutrophic due to the impacts on their environment and the inflow of poor quality water. The cultural values of these lagoons must also be protected and preserved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coastal Lagoon Ecology)
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