The Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain): A singular natural ecosystem threatened by human activities

The Mar Menor lagoon is one of the most important ecological singularities in the Mediterranean area. At the same time, it is an area where many economic and industrial activities meet. The sum of the impacts of mining, agriculture and urban development in the surroundings to the lagoon during the l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2007-07, Vol.54 (7), p.839-849
Main Authors: Conesa, Héctor M., Jiménez-Cárceles, Francisco J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Coastal lagoon
Conservation of Natural Resources - methods
Decision Making
Ecosystem
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental Monitoring
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Industrial Waste
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
Marine Biology
Mediterranean Region
Metals
Metals, Heavy - analysis
Metals, Heavy - toxicity
Mining
Nutrients
Public Health
Public Policy
Risk Assessment
Seawater - analysis
Soil Pollutants - analysis
Soil Pollutants - toxicity
Spain
Urban growing
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
Water Supply - analysis
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Summary:The Mar Menor lagoon is one of the most important ecological singularities in the Mediterranean area. At the same time, it is an area where many economic and industrial activities meet. The sum of the impacts of mining, agriculture and urban development in the surroundings to the lagoon during the last decades has affected its ecosystem. In this paper, we have reviewed the studies done by researchers over two decades regarding the impacts of human activities in the lagoon, reporting data of contamination levels and the effects generated in the ecosystem of the lagoon. The discharge of enriched nutrient waters seems to be the most important input in the lagoon. Changes to more friendly agricultural techniques in the surrounding areas are therefore necessary. After our review, we can conclude that it is necessary to have higher efforts from the public administrations and stricter environmental regulations in order to preserve, on one hand, the important ecological values of the lagoon, and on other hand, public health.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.05.007