Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dspace.azti.es/handle/24689/600
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.
Title: Eutrophication Assessment in Basque Estuaries: Comparing a North American and a European Method
Authors: Garmendia, Maialen; Bricker, Suzanne; Revilla, Marta; Borja, Angel; Franco, Javier; Bald, Juan; Valencia, Victoriano
Citation: ESTUARIES AND COASTS, 2012, 35, 991-1006
Abstract: Eutrophication in marine ecosystems is an important problem that requires an accurate assessment. Although Basque estuaries (northern Spain) have historically been under high anthropogenic pressure, no specific eutrophication assessment method had been applied in these waters. In this study, a method employed in the Basque Country (BC) to assess the ``risk of failing to achieve good ecological status�� under the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) was adapted to exclusively assess the risk of eutrophication. This method is based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response approach. The results from this method (called WFD-BC method) were compared to the results from Assessment of Estuarine Trophic Status (ASSETS; a specific method developed in the US to assess estuarine trophic status in a pressure-state-response approach). The nutrient pressure was better characterized with the WFD-BC method due to the local hydrographic conditions (i.e., small and river-influenced estuaries) that were not well accommodated by the ASSETS method. In contrast, the WFD-BC results for assessment of state generally reflected worse conditions than the results from the ASSETS method due to the different indicators employed and the way these are integrated in the WFD-BC method. Overall, the WFD-BC method showed a good potential to assess eutrophication. However, to improve it, a lower weight for the benthos and macroalgae is recommended for evaluating state.
Keywords: Eutrophication; DPSIR; ASSETS; European Water Framework Directive; Estuaries; Northeast Atlantic region; COASTAL SYSTEMS; METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH; NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT; ECOLOGICAL STATUS; WATER-QUALITY; DPSIR; BAY; BIODIVERSITY; MANAGEMENT; SPAIN
Issue Date: 2012
Publisher: SPRINGER
Type: Article
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s12237-012-9489-8
URI: http://dspace.azti.es/handle/24689/600
ISSN: 1559-2723
Funder: Basque Water Agency (Uragentzia) of the Basque Government
Basque Government (Department of Education, Universities and Investigation)
Appears in Publication types:Artículos científicos



Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.