Biomonitoring environmental status in semi-enclosed coastal ecosystems using Zostera noltei meadows

[en] Semi enclosed waters, such as estuaries and lagoons, are vulnerable ecosystems that are experiencing persistent trace element (TE) contamination. Seagrasses have been reported worldwide as valuable bioindicator species for coastal contamination monitoring purpose. This is, to our knowledge, the first time the TE contamination of semi-enclosed ecosystems has been monitored along the full latitudinal gradient of the Moroccan Atlantic coast. In these ecosystems, the dominant seagrass species is Zostera noltei. 23 TEs (Fe, Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, V, Cu, Zn, Sr, Li, As, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Mo, Ba, Ti, Pb, U, Bi and Hg) and four major elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca) were measured in sediments and seagrass leaf samples were collected upstream and downstream of five semi-enclosed areas. They contrasted in both climatic conditions and levels of environmental contamination. The Trace Element Pollution Index (TEPI) and the Trace Element Spatial Variation Index (TESVI) were calculated from chemical element concentrations in the samples. Of the five semi-enclosed areas, Sidi Moussa lagoon's sediments were the most contaminated (TEPI = 1.18). The TESVI differed highly between chemical elements among the five water bodies for sediments and seagrass leaves, the highest spatial variability being for Ag (TESVI = 72.01 and 21.05 respectively). For Z. noltei leaves, a latitudinal gradient of TE accumulation was recorded. A high bioconcentration factor (BCF > 1) for Cd, Mo, Sb, Ag, Zn and U indicated that the sediments were efficiently uptaken by the seagrass. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between levels of Cd, Ag, Fe, Al, Ba, Hg, Mn and Zn in sediments and in Z. noltei leaves indicated similar contamination occurrences in both environmental matrices and their bioavailability for seagrasses. Overall, leaf TE bioconcentration among and within the study sites resulted from differences in element bioavailability and environmental conditions (climatic context, hydrological conditions and human impact). Ultimately, Z. noltei is a useful bioindicator of Cd, Mo, Sb, Ag, Zn, U, Al, Fe, Mn, Ba and Hg contamination in sediments. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Research Center/Unit :

Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BioBio Research Center

Disciplines :

Environmental sciences & ecology

Author, co-author :

Boutahar, L.; Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BioBio Research Center, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, RP Rabat, B.P. 1014, Morocco, Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, Sevilla, 41012, Spain

Maanan, M.; University of Nantes, LETG UMR 6554, Nantes, France

Bououarour, O.; Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BioBio Research Center, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, RP Rabat, B.P. 1014, Morocco

Richir, Jonathan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (AGO)

Pouzet, P.; University of Nantes, LETG UMR 6554, Nantes, France

Gobert, Sylvie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique

Maanan, M.; University Hassan II, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Department of Earth Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco

Zourarah, B.; University Chouaib Doukkali, Faculty of Sciences, LGMSS – URAC 45 – REMER, El Jadida, Morocco

Benhoussa, A.; Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BioBio Research Center, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, RP Rabat, B.P. 1014, Morocco

Bazairi, H.; Mohammed V University in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BioBio Research Center, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, RP Rabat, B.P. 1014, Morocco

Language :

English

Title :

Biomonitoring environmental status in semi-enclosed coastal ecosystems using Zostera noltei meadows

Publication date :

2019

Journal title :

Ecological Indicators

ISSN :

1470-160X

eISSN :

1872-7034

Publisher :

Elsevier B.V.

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

OSUNA - Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers Nantes Atlantique

Available on ORBi :

since 04 June 2019

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