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Assessment of the eutrophication status at Mediterranean sub-basin scale, within the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

  • 0OGS, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, Trieste, Italy.
The Science of the Total Environment +

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June 15, 2024

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June 15, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study established harmonized eutrophication thresholds for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, crucial for shared marine environments. Common assessment methods and tools like NEAT were validated for consistent marine status evaluation.

Area Of Science

  • Marine Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Oceanography

Background

  • Eutrophication is a significant environmental issue in marine ecosystems, particularly in shared seas like the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires assessment of eutrophication status (Descriptor 5) using common standards.
  • Existing methods for assessing eutrophication in the Eastern Mediterranean lack harmonization, hindering effective cross-border management.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To define harmonized reference conditions and assessment thresholds for MSFD Descriptor 5 criteria in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
  • To test the suitability of integrated assessment tools for a common methodological approach to marine status evaluation.
  • To establish unified criteria and metrics for assessing eutrophication in the Adriatic and Aegean Seas.

Main Methods

  • Statistical approaches were employed to set threshold values for nutrients, chlorophyll a, transparency, and dissolved oxygen.
  • Common criteria and metrics were applied across datasets from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece.
  • The Nested Environmental status Assessment Tool (NEAT) was tested and compared with the TRIX index for integrated assessment.

Main Results

  • Harmonized "Good" and "Moderate" thresholds were established for nutrients, chlorophyll a, transparency, and dissolved oxygen in the Adriatic and Aegean Seas.
  • Specific Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) threshold values were determined for different Water Types (I, II, IIIW, IIIE).
  • The NEAT tool demonstrated good comparability with TRIX, proving effective for eutrophication status assessment.

Conclusions

  • This work provides the first common methods for assessing eutrophication in the Eastern Mediterranean, essential for shared marine resources.
  • The study highlights the necessity of standardized data treatment and assessment procedures for effective environmental management.
  • NEAT is identified as a valuable and necessary tool for assessing marine eutrophication status in a unified manner.

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