1
|
Magri M, Bondavalli C, Bartoli M, Benelli S, Žilius M, Petkuviene J, Vybernaite-Lubiene I, Vaičiūtė D, Grinienė E, Zemlys P, Morkūnė R, Daunys D, Solovjova S, Bučas M, Gasiūnaitė ZR, Baziukas-Razinkovas A, Bodini A. Temporal and spatial differences in nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning of a hypertrophic lagoon (Curonian Lagoon, SE Baltic Sea) revealed via Ecological Network Analysis. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171070. [PMID: 38382608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In coastal lagoons, eutrophication and hydrology are interacting factors that produce distortions in biogeochemical nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles. Such distortions affect nutrient relative availability and produce cascade consequences on primary producer's community and ecosystem functioning. In this study, the seasonal functioning of a coastal lagoon was investigated with a multielement approach, via the construction and analysis of network models. Spring and summer networks, both for N and P flows, have been simultaneously compiled for the northern transitional and southern confined area of the hypertrophic Curonian Lagoon (SE Baltic Sea). Ecological Network Analysis was applied to address the combined effect of hydrology and seasonality on biogeochemical processes. Results suggest that the ecosystem is more active and presents higher N and P fluxes in summer compared to spring, regardless of the area. Furthermore, larger internal recycling characterizes the confined compared to the transitional area, regardless of the season. The two areas differed in the fate of available nutrients. The transitional area received large riverine inputs that were mainly transferred to the sea without the conversion into primary producers' biomass. The confined area had fewer inputs but proportionally larger conversion into phytoplankton biomass. In summer, particularly in the confined area, primary production was inefficiently consumed by herbivores. Most phytoplanktonic N and P, in the confined area more than in the transitional area, were conveyed to the detritus pathway where P, more than N, was recycled, contributing to the unbalance in N:P stoichiometry and favouring N-fixing cyanobacteria over other phytoplankton groups. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of N and P circulation patterns in lagoon areas characterized by different hydrology. They also support the importance of a stoichiometric approach to trace relative differences in N and P recycling and abundance, that promote blooms, drive algal communities and whole ecosystem functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monia Magri
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Cristina Bondavalli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Bartoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Center, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Sara Benelli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Mindaugas Žilius
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Jolita Petkuviene
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Irma Vybernaite-Lubiene
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Diana Vaičiūtė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Evelina Grinienė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Petras Zemlys
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Morkūnė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Darius Daunys
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Sabina Solovjova
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Martynas Bučas
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Zita Rasuole Gasiūnaitė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | | | - Antonio Bodini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jucyte-Cicine A, Lorre E, Petkuviene J, Gasiunaite ZR, Politi T, Vybernaite-Lubiene I, Zilius M. Coastal wastewater treatment plants as a source of endocrine disrupting micropollutants: a case study of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 200:116084. [PMID: 38309175 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
In temperate coastal areas, the resident population often increases during holidays. As a result, this can lead to higher wastewater production and release of pollutants. The connection between micropollutants such as plasticizers and hormones with the changing resident population along the Baltic Sea coast has yet to be thoroughly studied. Therefore, we have monitored the wastewater quality and specific micropollutants before and after treatment at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) at small and large seaside resorts. The findings indicate a strong link between tourism indicators and wastewater production during the summer months. The rise in different micropollutants, specifically plasticizers, during the summer demonstrates a link with tourism activity. Furthermore, we have identified a non-linear association between the tourism indicators and the total estrogenic equivalent (EEQ). Overall, this research particularly emphasizes the growing importance of wastewater quality in terms of conventional nutrient pollution and various micropollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elise Lorre
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Tobia Politi
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Mindaugas Zilius
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|