Determining the footprint of sewage discharges in a coastal lagoon in South-Western Europe. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleDetermining the footprint of sewage discharges in a coastal lagoon in South-Western Europe.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsCravo, A, Fernandes, D, Damião, T, Pereira, C, Reis, MP
Year of Publication2015
JournalMar Pollut Bull
Volume96
Issue1-2
Date Published2015 Jul 15
Pagination197-209
ISSN1879-3363
KeywordsAnimals, Bivalvia, Chlorophyll, Environmental Monitoring, Europe, Eutrophication, Humans, Portugal, Salinity, Sewage, Shellfish, Water Pollution, Chemical, Water Quality
Abstract

Ria Formosa is a highly productive lagoon in South-Western Europe, supporting 90% of Portuguese clam production. Decreases in shellfish production have been ascribed to deterioration of water quality due to sewage discharges. Nevertheless, a thorough study considering their impact on the whole lagoon system has been missing. This work determined the sewage footprint from the major sewage treatment plants (STP) regarding eutrophication and microbial contamination within a two-year monitoring program. This focused on salinity, oxygen, nutrients, chlorophyll-a and faecal coliforms. Areas closer to sewage discharges showed an evident impact with maximum effects detected at the major STP. However, globally, the Ria Formosa did not show clear eutrophication problems due to high tidal flushing. Ammonium, oxygen, chlorophyll-a and faecal coliforms, unlike the other parameters, showed no seasonality. Microbiological contamination was of great concern and public health issues could be avoided by settling shellfish beds at least 500 m away from discharge points.

DOI10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.05.029
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26013590?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalMar. Pollut. Bull.
PubMed ID26013590
CCMAR Authors