Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions

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30 September 2024

Manuscript submission deadline

30 December 2024

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Image courtesy of ©Dr. Jessica Alessi, MeRiS - Mediterraneo Ricerca e Sviluppo APS

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical pollutants, heavy metals, and macro- and microplastics are continuously discharged from the mainland into the sea and are bio-accumulated and bio-magnified by marine organisms, with negative consequences on the whole trophic web, at all ecosystem levels. Manmade underwater noises create disturbance to intraspecific communications, from fish to cetaceans, even producing malformations in invertebrate larvae, while both commercial and recreational maritime traffic represent a danger for collisions with cetaceans. Fishing activities interact at multiple levels, modifying the trophic chain and the flows of biomass (and energy) across the ecosystem, altering habitats and benthic communities. Finally, poorly managed large-scale mariculture can damage coastal wetlands and nearshore ecosystems.

In recent years, the evaluation and monitoring of all these anthropogenic impacts on the coastal environment have been the subject of in-depth studies. Now the most pressing needs concern the development of conservation measures, proposed and carried out at a regional level, as expression of broader plans involving not only researchers but also government and non-government organizations, industry, and local communities. In short words, effective marine conservation requires collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach.

This Topic aims to highlight the recent knowledge on the impact of human activities on marine fauna and coastal environments as well as on habitat management and environmental conservation plans. The Topic Editors kindly invite you to submit a manuscript focused on any of the above topics. Assessment of pollution levels and impact on marine organisms and their habitats, possible solutions, and management measures, are welcome as case studies (original papers) or reviews.

Prof. Dr. Alberta Mandich
Dr. Jessica Alessi
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Animals animals	2.7	4.9	2011	16.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Coasts coasts	-	-	2021	32.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Diversity diversity	2.1	3.4	2009	15.4 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.7	4.4	2013	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	20 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Animals Coasts Diversity JMSE Sustainability

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28 pages, 4209 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparing the Effects of Erosion and Accretion along the Eastern Coast of Río de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay in Brazil

by Silvia V. González Rodríguez, Vicente Negro Valdecantos, José María del Campo and Vanessa Torrodero Numpaque

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5728; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135728 - 4 Jul 2024

Viewed by 381

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of a general research project investigating the coastal landscapes’ evolution in different port cities of the American continent with a common historical background: colonization. The general aim is to ascertain whether the evolution of coastal landscapes in [...] Read more.

This paper presents a case study of a general research project investigating the coastal landscapes’ evolution in different port cities of the American continent with a common historical background: colonization. The general aim is to ascertain whether the evolution of coastal landscapes in the selected port cities is influenced by the origins of their colonizers, who initiated changes that shaped these cities into repositories of artistic, cultural, and historical heritage. The paper presents a study of the coastal landscape transformation in Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay, Brazil. The study employs a comparative approach, utilizing cartographic maps from disparate historical periods, with the objective of identifying and quantifying changes in the coastline. The results indicate that accretion exceeded erosion over the study period. The erosion is associated with the loss of mangroves, underscoring the necessity for environmental protection and reconstruction efforts in affected regions. The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive analysis of the coastal transformation in Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay and its impact on the environment. Furthermore, it allows for a comparison with the port cities of the other case studies in the overall research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions)

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12 pages, 3821 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Fibropapillomatosis: A Review of the Disease with Attention to the Situation Northern Coast of Brazil

by Karoline Petrini Pinheiro da Cruz, Marco Aurélio Gattamorta, Eliana Reiko Matushima and Felipe Masiero Salvarani

Animals 2024, 14(12), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121809 - 17 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles is a potentially debilitating and fatal disease for which there is still a lack of knowledge, especially for specific regions of Brazil. The diagnosis is made through the observation of clinical manifestations, and despite its association with Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus [...] Read more.

Fibropapillomatosis in sea turtles is a potentially debilitating and fatal disease for which there is still a lack of knowledge, especially for specific regions of Brazil. The diagnosis is made through the observation of clinical manifestations, and despite its association with Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) as the etiological agent, the expression of the disease may also be related to immunological and environmental factors caused by anthropic degradation of the environment. Thus, this review aims to elucidate what is known about this disease globally, and especially in various regions of Brazil, promoting a better understanding of its evolution, spatiotemporal prevalence, and relationship with human activities. Furthermore, the review explores the molecular biology of ChHV5, including its genomic structure, replication cycle, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. The role of environmental factors, such as temperature and pollution, in modulating ChHV5 infection and FP development is also discussed. Additionally, the review summarizes current diagnostic methods for detecting ChHV5 infection in sea turtles, highlighting the importance of early detection and monitoring for effective disease management and conservation efforts. Finally, the review outlines future research directions aimed at improving our understanding of ChHV5 and developing strategies for FP control and prevention in sea turtle populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions)

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17 pages, 2607 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Impacts of Coastal Protection on the Vegetation of Sandy Coasts at the German Baltic Sea Coast

by Daniela Glueck, Ulf Schiefelbein and Hendrik Schubert

Coasts 2024, 4(2), 437-453; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020022 - 11 Jun 2024

Viewed by 521

Abstract

Sand nourishments and groynes as coastal protection measures (CPM) address similar challenges on sandy coasts but take different approaches: while groynes are intended to reduce alongshore sediment transport and erosion, nourishments add new sediment to the system to compensate for erosion. The aim [...] Read more.

Sand nourishments and groynes as coastal protection measures (CPM) address similar challenges on sandy coasts but take different approaches: while groynes are intended to reduce alongshore sediment transport and erosion, nourishments add new sediment to the system to compensate for erosion. The aim of this study is to compare the ecological effects of such measures on the vegetation. To this end, nutrient analysis and botanical mappings were carried out on a site with installed groynes, a site where sand nourishments are regularly carried out, and a control site without any CPM. In addition to an increase in nutrient availability after the sand nourishment, significant changes in plant species diversity and composition were also measured. The number of higher plants, mosses, and lichen species was lower at the nourishment site. The opposite impacts were observed at the groyne site: an increase in sediment cover by higher plants and mosses and a distinct increase in lichen species. The results suggest that groynes lead to a stabilization of the coastal system and enable dense vegetation growth. In contrast, sand nourishments lead to nutrient input and unstable habitat conditions, attracting certain plant communities but preventing the establishment of ground-covering vegetation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions)

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13 pages, 1522 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Horizontal Rates of Wetland Migration Appear Unlikely to Keep Pace with Shoreline Transgression under Conditions of 21st Century Accelerating Sea Level Rise along the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern USA

by Randall W. Parkinson

Coasts 2024, 4(1), 213-225; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4010012 - 14 Mar 2024

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Abstract

This investigation evaluated two fundamental assumptions of wetland inundation models designed to emulate landscape evolution and resiliency under conditions of sea level rise: that they can (1) migrate landward at the same rate as the transgressing shoreline and (2) immediately replace the plant [...] Read more.

This investigation evaluated two fundamental assumptions of wetland inundation models designed to emulate landscape evolution and resiliency under conditions of sea level rise: that they can (1) migrate landward at the same rate as the transgressing shoreline and (2) immediately replace the plant community into which they are onlapping. Rates of wetland (e.g., marsh, mangrove) migration were culled from 11 study areas located in five regions of focus: Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Pamlico Sound, South Florida, and Northwest Florida. The average rate of marsh migration (n = 14) was 3.7 m yr⁻¹. The average rate of South Florida mangrove migration (n = 4) was 38.0 m yr⁻¹. The average rate of upland forest retreat (n = 4) was 3.4 m yr⁻¹. Theoretical rates of shoreline transgression were calculated using site-specific landscape slope and scenario-based NOAA sea level rise elevations in 2050. Rates of shoreline transgression over the marsh landscape averaged 94 m yr⁻¹. The average rate of shoreline transgression in the mangrove-dominated areas of South Florida was 153.2 m yr⁻¹. The calculated rates of shoreline transgression were much faster than the observed horizontal marsh migration, and by 2050, the offset or gap between them averaged 2700 m and ranged between 292 and 5531 m. In South Florida, the gap average was 3516 m and ranged between 2766 m and 4563 m. At sites where both horizontal marsh migration and forest retreat rates were available, the distance or gap between them in 2050 averaged 47 m. Therefore, the results of this study are inconsistent with the two fundamental assumptions of many wetland inundation models and suggest that they may overestimate their resilience under conditions of 21st century accelerating sea level rise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions)

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12 pages, 3936 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Using Machine Learning Methodology to Model Nutrient Discharges from Ports: A Case Study of a Fertilizer Terminal

by Suvi-Tuuli Lappalainen, Jonne Kotta, Mari-Liis Tombak and Ulla Tapaninen

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(1), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12010143 - 11 Jan 2024

Viewed by 950

Abstract

Marine eutrophication is a pervasive and growing threat to global sustainability. Thereby, nutrient discharges to the marine environment should be reduced to a minimum. When fertilizers are loaded to the vessels in ports, a significant amount of nutrients are released into the sea, [...] Read more.

Marine eutrophication is a pervasive and growing threat to global sustainability. Thereby, nutrient discharges to the marine environment should be reduced to a minimum. When fertilizers are loaded to the vessels in ports, a significant amount of nutrients are released into the sea, but so far these actions have received little attention. Here, we employed the Boosted Regression Trees modeling (BRT) to define the relationships between fertilizer loading, the loading area, rain intensity, nutrient discharge, and the marine environment, and then used the established relationships to predict the daily nutrient discharge due to fertilizer loading. The studied subject was a port in the Gulf of Finland, where significant amounts of both nitrogen and phosphorus are loaded to vessels. BRT models accounted for a significant proportion of the variability of nutrient discharge. As expected, the nutrient discharge increased with the number of fertilizers loaded and the intensity of rain. On the other hand, with the increasing loading area, the total nitrogen discharge increased, but the total phosphorus discharge decreased. The latter result may be due to the different characteristics of the loading areas of different terminals. The model predicted that at the studied port, the total nitrogen and phosphorus discharge to the marine environment due to fertilizer loading was 272,906 and 196 kg per year, respectively. Importantly, the developed model can be used to predict the nutrient loads for different future scenarios in order to propose the best mitigation methods for nutrient discharges to the sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Anthropic Impacts in Marine Coastal Waters: Assessment, Case Studies and Solutions)

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