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

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30 June 2025

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30 September 2025

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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	23.2 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Diversity diversity	2.1	3.4	2009	18.3 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.7	4.4	2013	16.4 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Oceans oceans	1.5	3.1	2020	23.3 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Earth earth	2.1	3.3	2020	23.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Water water	3.0	5.8	2009	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Open AccessArticle

Ayla Oasis Lagoons: A Model for Ecological Sustainability and Marine Conservation in Aqaba, Jordan

by Ali Al-Sawalmih, Nader Alshammari, Haya Altaleb, Raid Al-Jawasreh and Rawan Maitah

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031279 - 5 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1198

Abstract

The Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, Jordan, is a major tourism and residential development project in Aqaba, Jordan, containing three artificial lagoons. This study explores the ecological sustainable development of Ayla Lagoons, focusing on the seawater and bottom sediment quality, and the bottom habitat, [...] Read more.

The Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, Jordan, is a major tourism and residential development project in Aqaba, Jordan, containing three artificial lagoons. This study explores the ecological sustainable development of Ayla Lagoons, focusing on the seawater and bottom sediment quality, and the bottom habitat, in addition to coral conservation and restoration initiatives. The flushing time, averaging 3.7 days for the Upper Lagoon and 2.4 days for the Middle Lagoon, plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality. These measures secure the well-being of all visitors and residents, while also preserving the marine biodiversity. The Upper, Middle, and Tidal Lagoons exhibit physiochemical properties in alignment with seawater characteristics of the Gulf of Aqaba. Sediment quality analysis shows organic carbon levels and grain size distribution vary among lagoons, indicating expected different energy conditions and a healthy environment. The lagoons support a diverse range of species, with a total of 2343 fish individuals belonging to 22 species across 17 families recorded. The comprehensive analysis of the Ayla Oasis lagoons’ seawater and sediment quality revealed a dynamic and resilient ecosystem. Ayla’s coral conservation and restoration initiative within its lagoons feature 166 reef balls, 5 coral nurseries, and 2 metal structures, all designed to foster marine biodiversity. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of Ayla Oasis’ environmental resilience and monitoring strategies, showcasing a commitment to sustainable management and environmental stewardship. These efforts reflect Ayla’s ongoing dedication to protecting and preserving the marine ecosystem, ensuring the long-term health of its coral reefs and surrounding marine life. Full article

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

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17 pages, 2605 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Microplastic Deposit Predictions on Sandy Beaches by Geotechnologies and Machine Learning Models

by Anderson Targino da Silva Ferreira, Regina Célia de Oliveira, Maria Carolina Hernandez Ribeiro, Pedro Silva de Freitas Sousa, Lucas de Paula Miranda, Saulo de Oliveira Folharini and Eduardo Siegle

Coasts 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts5010004 - 30 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1181

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are polymeric particles, mainly fossil-based, widely found in marine ecosystems, linked to environmental and public health impacts due to their persistence and ability to carry pollutants. In São Paulo’s northern coast, geomorphological factors and anthropogenic activities intensify the deposition of these [...] Read more.

Microplastics (MPs) are polymeric particles, mainly fossil-based, widely found in marine ecosystems, linked to environmental and public health impacts due to their persistence and ability to carry pollutants. In São Paulo’s northern coast, geomorphological factors and anthropogenic activities intensify the deposition of these pollutants. Through multivariate techniques, this study aims to investigate the role of the morphometrical parameters as independent variables in quantifying the distribution of MPs on the region’s sandy beaches. Using beach face slope (tanβ) and orientation (Aspect) derived from remote sensing images, calibrated by in situ topographic profiles collected through GNSS positioning, and laboratory analyses, six machine learning models Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Lasso and Ridge regression, Support Vector Regression, and Partial Least Squares regression were tested and evaluated for performance. The Gradient Boosting model demonstrated the best performance, indicating its superior capacity to capture complex relationships between predictor variables and MPs deposition, followed by Random Forest model. Morphometric analysis revealed, once again, that in this coastal section of São Paulo, beaches with Sloping profiles oriented toward the SSW are more susceptible to MPs accumulation, especially near urban centers. Ultimately, incorporating geomorphological variables into predictive models enhances understanding of MPs deposition, providing a foundation for environmental policies focused on marine pollution mitigation and coastal ecosystem conservation while also contributing to achieve SDG 14. Full article

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

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23 pages, 6055 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Geological Environment Resilience Under Seawater Intrusion Hazards: A Case Study of the Coastal Area of Shenzhen City

by Dong Su, Jinwei Zhou, Maolong Huang, Wenlong Han, Aiguo Li, Enzhi Wang and Xiangsheng Chen

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010018 - 27 Dec 2024

Viewed by 753

Abstract

Revealing geological environment resilience (GER) under seawater intrusion (SWI) hazards is a prerequisite for solving groundwater resource depletion, land salinization, and ecological degradation in coastal cities. This study applies the resilience design approach based on urban complex adaptive systems theory to understand the [...] Read more.

Revealing geological environment resilience (GER) under seawater intrusion (SWI) hazards is a prerequisite for solving groundwater resource depletion, land salinization, and ecological degradation in coastal cities. This study applies the resilience design approach based on urban complex adaptive systems theory to understand the impact of SWI on the geological environment. Taking SWI as the research object, the GER evaluation method under SWI disaster was established by selecting five elastic indexes: disturbance intensity, geological environment vulnerability, stress resistance, recovery, and adaptability. This method is used to evaluate the GER level of the coastal areas of Shenzhen in recent years under the impact of SWI hazards. The study found that there is a negative correlation between the intensity of disturbance and precipitation amount. The vulnerability is greater the closer the distance to the coastline and the shallower the depth of bedrock burial. Resistance is composed of early warning ability and disaster prevention ability, and the result is 10.07, which belongs to the medium level. The recovery is 1.49, which is at a relatively high level, indicating a high capacity for restoration ability. The adaptability increased from 3.03 to 3.13, so that the area of seawater intrusion is becoming smaller. GER is affected by precipitation amount and depth of bedrock burial; the greater the precipitation and the shallower the bedrock burial, the lower the GER. Precipitation amount significantly impacts the SWI situation in the eastern coastal area of Shenzhen. In the central region, the impact of precipitation on GER is less significant. However, in the western region, the depth of bedrock burial primarily affects GER. Compared to completely weathered granite, Pleistocene fluvial plain sediments are more susceptible to SWI effects in freshwater environments. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of SWI on the geological environment in coastal areas, providing decision-makers with the necessary knowledge to develop targeted and effective governance and prevention strategies. Full article

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

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18 pages, 13419 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Benthic Infauna with Fine-Grained Organic-Rich Sediments in a Shallow Subtropical Estuary

by Daniel Hope, Anthony Cox, Angelica Zamora-Duran and Kevin B. Johnson

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2184; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122184 - 28 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 930

Abstract

Fine-grained organic-rich sediments (FGORSs) from anthropogenic impacts are a growing concern for bays and estuaries around the world. This study explores the relationships of infaunal community diversity and species abundances with FGORSs in the Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries. To examine these [...] Read more.

Fine-grained organic-rich sediments (FGORSs) from anthropogenic impacts are a growing concern for bays and estuaries around the world. This study explores the relationships of infaunal community diversity and species abundances with FGORSs in the Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries. To examine these potential relationships, infauna was collected monthly using a Petite Ponar grab at 16 stations in the central Indian River Lagoon from October 2015 to August 2016. Abundant taxa in these sediments include polychaete worms (e.g., the polychaete Nereis succinea), mollusks (e.g., clam Parastarte triquetra), and arthropods (e.g., the tanaid Leptochelia dubia), with densities as high as 5.3 × 10⁴ m⁻² (L. dubia in July 2016). Increasing organic matter (OM) in the sediments was inversely correlated with species richness (R² = 0.75; p-value < 0.001), densities (R² = 0.69; p-value < 0.001), and diversity (R² = 0.37; p-value < 0.001). Other infaunal community and population data showed similar relationships with silt–clay (%), sediment porosity, and dissolved oxygen (mg L⁻¹). Two thresholds of OM and correlated environmental parameters are discussed: an impairment threshold at 2% OM, above which infauna decreases precipitously, and a critical threshold at 10% OM, above which infauna is generally absent. Full article

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

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18 pages, 23890 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Exploration of Response Mechanisms in the Gills of Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to Cadmium Exposure through Integrative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

by Luyao Dong, Yanan Sun, Muyang Chu, Yuxin Xie, Pinyi Wang, Bin Li, Zan Li, Xiaohui Xu, Yanwei Feng, Guohua Sun, Zhongping Wang, Cuiju Cui, Weijun Wang and Jianmin Yang

Animals 2024, 14(16), 2318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162318 - 9 Aug 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

Marine mollusks, including oysters, are highly tolerant to high levels of cadmium (Cd), but the molecular mechanisms underlying their molecular response to acute Cd exposure remain unclear. In this study, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was used as a biological model, exposed to [...] Read more.

Marine mollusks, including oysters, are highly tolerant to high levels of cadmium (Cd), but the molecular mechanisms underlying their molecular response to acute Cd exposure remain unclear. In this study, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was used as a biological model, exposed to acute Cd stress for 96 h. Transcriptomic analyses of their gills were performed, and metabolomic analyses further validated these results. In our study, a total of 111 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) and 2108 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under acute Cd exposure. Further analyses revealed alterations in key genes and metabolic pathways associated with heavy metal stress response. Cd exposure triggered physiological and metabolic responses in oysters, including enhanced oxidative stress and disturbances in energy metabolism, and these changes revealed the biological response of oysters to acute Cd stress. Moreover, oysters could effectively enhance the tolerance and detoxification ability to acute Cd exposure through activating ABC transporters, enhancing glutathione metabolism and sulfur relay system in gill cells, and regulating energy metabolism. This study reveals the molecular mechanism of acute Cd stress in oysters and explores the molecular mechanism of high tolerance to Cd in oysters by using combined metabolomics and transcriptome analysis. Full article

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

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28 pages, 6993 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Habitat Prediction of Bigeye Tuna Based on Multi-Feature Fusion of Heterogenous Remote-Sensing Data

by Yanling Han, Xiaotong Wang, Haiyang He, Jing Wang and Yun Zhang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081294 - 31 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1041

Abstract

Accurate habitat prediction of Bigeye Tuna, the main fishing target of tuna pelagic fishery, is of great significance to the fishing operation. In response to the fact that most of the current studies use single-source data for habitat prediction, and the association between [...] Read more.

Accurate habitat prediction of Bigeye Tuna, the main fishing target of tuna pelagic fishery, is of great significance to the fishing operation. In response to the fact that most of the current studies use single-source data for habitat prediction, and the association between spatiotemporal features and habitat distribution is not fully explored and that this has limited the further improvement of prediction accuracy, this paper analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of the characteristics of Bigeye Tuna’s highly migratory nature. Additionally, it puts forward a method of habitat prediction that utilizes heterosource remote-sensing data for the four-dimensional time–space–environment–spectrum (TSES) for deep-level feature extraction. First, a multi-source heterogeneous dataset was constructed by combining the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the product-level environmental remote-sensing data and the L1B-level original spectral remote-sensing data, and then a multi-branch, dynamic spatiotemporal feature extraction, Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) time-series model was constructed to extract the characteristics of the heterogeneous data. This model was constructed to fully explore and utilize the multidimensional deep-level TSES distribution features affecting the habitat prediction. Finally, the two types of heterogeneous data were subjected to the weighted average-based decision-level fusion to obtain the final prediction results. The experimental results show that compared with other methods, the proposed method in this paper outperforms traditional machine-learning models and other single-source, data-based time-series models, with R² reaching 0.96278 and RMSE decreasing to 0.031361 in the validation experiments of these models. In contrast, the method in this paper demonstrates good generalization ability and achieves accurate prediction of future fishery distribution. Full article

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

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23 pages, 6203 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of High-Strength Concrete Bridges under Post-Fire Earthquakes Considering Hydrodynamic Effects

by Gaojie Yun and Chunguang Liu

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6486; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156486 - 29 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1300

Abstract

This study employed the linear interpolation method to ascertain the curve relationship between the elastic modulus and stress of high-strength concrete C60 with temperature, and the nonlinear dynamic analysis of high-strength concrete bridge structures subjected to post-fire earthquake action at varying water levels [...] Read more.

This study employed the linear interpolation method to ascertain the curve relationship between the elastic modulus and stress of high-strength concrete C60 with temperature, and the nonlinear dynamic analysis of high-strength concrete bridge structures subjected to post-fire earthquake action at varying water levels was subsequently evaluated. It was established that both the hydrodynamic effects and the temperature effects have a considerable impact on the structural dynamic response of bridges. The presence of water has been observed to increase the dynamic response of pier structures. At water levels of 0 m and 10 m, the temperature effect results in a reduction in the fundamental frequencies of acceleration and displacement responses by 73.68% and a decrease in the fundamental frequency of stress responses by 83.33%. At a water level of 20 m, the fundamental frequencies of the acceleration, displacement, and stress responses decrease by 53.49%. In consideration of the acceleration and displacement at the pier top and stress at the pier base at a water depth of 10 m, the superposition of temperature effects and hydrodynamic effects results in an increase of 59.06% in acceleration, 25.93% in displacement, and 49.53% in stress than combination effects, respectively. At a water depth of 20 m, the superposition of temperature and hydrodynamic effects results in an increase of 92.82%, 100%, and 127.85% in acceleration, displacement, and stress, respectively. The combined effects of hydrodynamic and temperature effects cannot be described merely as a linear superposition of the two single actions. The research findings provide a significant theoretical basis for understanding the impact of multiple disasters, such as fires and earthquakes, on bridge structures. Full article

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

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28 pages, 4209 KiB  

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

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

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2288

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 Anthropogenic 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

Viewed by 1619

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 Anthropogenic 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

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1803

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 Anthropogenic 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

Viewed by 2302

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 Anthropogenic 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

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1676

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

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