Fecal Pollution in Coastal Marine Sediments from a Semi-Enclosed Deep Embayment Subjected to Anthropogenic Activities: An Issue to Be Considered in Environmental Quality Management Frameworks Development

• Published in: EcoHealth 2010-12, Vol.7 (4), p.473-484
• Main Authors: González-Fernández, D, Garrido-Pérez, M. C, Nebot-Sanz, E, Sales-Márquez, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; anthropogenic activities; Anthropogenic factors; Atlantic Ocean; Bottom sediments; Clostridium perfringens; Clostridium perfringens - chemistry; Clostridium perfringens - isolation & purification; Cluster Analysis; Coastal zone; Coastal zone management; Coasts; coliform bacteria; Ecosystems; Enterobacteriaceae; Environmental Health; Environmental Health - methods; Environmental Health - standards; Environmental impact; Environmental management; Environmental quality; Environmental quality assessment; Fecal coliforms; Feces; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Geologic Sediments - microbiology; Heterogeneity; Human influences; Humans; Marine environment; Marine pollution; Marine sediments; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mediterranean Sea; Microbiology; nutrients; Oceans and Seas; Organic loading; Original Contribution; pathogens; Physicochemical properties; pollutants; Pollution sources; Public Health; Quality control; Sewage; Sewage - chemistry; Sewage - microbiology; Soil contamination; Soil Microbiology; Statistics, Nonparametric; wastewater; Wastewater discharges; Water and Health; Water Microbiology; Water Pollution - statistics & numerical data; Water treatment
• ISSN: 1612-9202; 1612-9210
• DOI: 10.1007/s10393-010-0671-9

Sewage discharge is a major source of pollution in marine environments. Urban wastewaters can directly enter marine environments carrying pathogen organisms, organic loads, and nutrients. Because marine sediments can act as the ultimate fate of a wide range of pollutants, environmental quality assessment in this compartment can help to identify pollution problems in coastal areas. In the present study, characterization of surficial marine sediments allowed assessment of fecal pollution in a semi-enclosed deep embayment that is subjected to anthropogenic activities. Physicochemical parameters and fecal indicators presented a great spatial heterogeneity. Fecal coliform and Clostridium perfringens showed accumulation in an extensive area, not only in proximity to sewage discharge points, but also in sediments at 100 meters depth. Results included herein demonstrated that, in coastal areas, urban wastewater discharge can affect the whole ecosystem through accumulation of fecal matter in bottom sediments. Application of multivariate techniques provided useful information with applicability for management of coastal areas in such complex systems. Environmental implications of wastewater discharge in coastal areas indicate the need to implement and include sediment quality control strategies in legislative frameworks.