pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Globally consistent assessment of coastal eutrophication - PubMed

  • ️Fri Jan 01 2021

Globally consistent assessment of coastal eutrophication

Elígio de Raús Maúre et al. Nat Commun. 2021.

Abstract

Eutrophication is an emerging global issue associated with increasing anthropogenic nutrient loading. The impacts and extent of eutrophication are often limited to regions with dedicated monitoring programmes. Here we introduce the first global and Google Earth Engine-based interactive assessment tool of coastal eutrophication potential (CEP). The tool evaluates trends in satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (CHL) to devise a global map of CEP. Our analyses suggest that, globally, coastal waters (depth ≤200 m) covering ∼1.15 million km2 are eutrophic potential. Also, waters associated with CHL increasing trends-eutrophication potential-are twofold higher than those showing signs of recovery. The tool effectively identified areas of known eutrophication with severe symptoms, like dead zones, as well as those with limited to no information of the eutrophication. Our tool introduces the prospect for a consistent global assessment of eutrophication trends with major implications for monitoring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the application of Earth Observations in support of SDGs.

© 2021. The Author(s).

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Map of coastal eutrophication potential (CEP) in the Bohai Sea.

LD, LN, and LI depict the status as being low CHL (α < 5 mg m−3) with decreasing trend, no trend and increasing trend, respectively. HD, HN and HI indicate high CHL (α ≥ 5 mg m−3) with the three above-mentioned trends, respectively. a Preliminary assessment of CEP for the period 1998–2015. b Same as a but for the period 1998–2019. The rectangle in magenta (b) shows the location of Bohai Sea.

Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Map of CEP in the global ocean and in the Bohai Sea.

a Preliminary assessment of CEP in the global ocean for the period 2003–2019 based on MODISA global dataset. The CHL threshold is same as in Fig. 1. b Preliminary assessment of CEP in the Bohai Sea based on the YOC algorithm for the same period as in a but with spatial resolution of 1 km. c Same as b but for MODISA 1 km spatial resolution. d Same as b but for MODISA 4 km spatial resolution. The southern and northern regions with few observations (<70% in the 17-year period) were masked. The GEE App is accessible through the link

https://eutrophicationwatch.users.earthengine.app/view/global-eutrophication-watch

.

Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Global eutrophication watch app interface.

The left panel shows the control panel of the app. The map of CEP in the NOWPAP region based on MODISA global dataset is shown in the middle. The right panel shows the CHL max time series of a select point on the map. The CEP classes are also shown.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Costanza R, et al. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature. 1997;387:253–260.
    1. Le Moal M, et al. Eutrophication: a new wine in an old bottle? Sci. Total Environ. 2019;651:1–11. - PubMed
    1. Nixon SW. Coastal marine eutrophication: a definition, social causes, and future concerns. Ophelia. 1995;41:199–219.
    1. Lemley, D. A. & Adams, J. B. Eutrophication. In Encyclopedia of Ecology 1, 86–90 (Elsevier, 2019). 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10957-1.
    1. Howarth R, et al. Coupled biogeochemical cycles: eutrophication and hypoxia in temperate estuaries and coastal marine ecosystems. Front. Ecol. Environ. 2011;9:18–26.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances