Sedimentary organic matter composition from tropical ports with distinct geographic and morpho-hydrodynamic characteristics: Evaluation through multiple biochemical markers

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2020-11, Vol.160, p.111679-111679, Article 111679
• Main Authors: Gardade, Laxman, Khandeparker, Lidita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Benthos; Biochemical markers; Biomarkers; Biopolymeric carbon; Biopolymers; Composition; Docks; Ecosystem assessment; Ecosystem management; Environmental assessment; Eutrophic environments; Eutrophication; Evaluation; Fatty acid biomarkers; Fatty acid composition; Fatty acids; Freshwater; Hydrodynamics; Inland water environment; Organic matter; Phytoplankton; Plants; Ports; Seawater; Sedimentary organic matter; Shipping; Terrestrial environments; Trophic levels; Trophic status; Trophic structure; Tropical climate; Urbanization; Water pollution
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111679

Increasing coastal urbanization and shipping activity-related environmental pollution advocate the importance of assessment of port ecosystems. Fatty acid biomarkers, elemental components, and biopolymers were used to evaluate the composition of sedimentary organic matter and benthic trophic status of Kolkata (freshwater, enclosed docks) and Kandla (seawater, macrotidal) ports of India. The sediment fatty acid composition indicated relatively fresh and energy-rich organic matter of phytoplankton and bacterial origin inside Kolkata port than the outside riverine station and Kandla port. Biopolymeric carbon (BPC), used as an indicator of trophic status, revealed eutrophic condition in Kolkata port with high accumulation of organic matter of autochthonous origin, attributed to poor water flushing and input of anthropogenic wastes. In contrast, Kandla port was meso-oligotrophic, rich in bacteria, and terrestrial plant-derived materials. Such an assessment of ports' trophic status helps to evaluate the health of the ecosystem and in management practices. •Sedimentary OM sources from riverine and seawater ports were characterized using FAs.•Phytoplankton and bacteria-rich fresh OM in the enclosed, riverine port sediment.•Bacteria and terrestrial plant-derived OM in the macrotidal, seaport sediment.•BPC indicated eutrophic condition in riverine port and meso-oligotrophic in a seaport.•Benthic trophic status was influenced by the port structure and hydrodynamics.