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

• 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
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.05.007

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.