Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication

For a number of well-documented watersheds and their adjacent coastal zones, a simplified, but generic approach was developed to explore current nutrient deliveries to their corresponding marine system, characterized by their flushing rate/residence time and morphology. An indicator of eutrophicatio...

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Main Authors: Josette Garnier, Gilles Billen, Luis Lassaletta, Olga Vigiak, Nikolaos P Nikolaidis, Bruna Grizzetti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2021-01-01
Series:Environmental Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abc777
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author Josette Garnier
Gilles Billen
Luis Lassaletta
Olga Vigiak
Nikolaos P Nikolaidis
Bruna Grizzetti
author_facet Josette Garnier
Gilles Billen
Luis Lassaletta
Olga Vigiak
Nikolaos P Nikolaidis
Bruna Grizzetti
author_sort Josette Garnier
collection DOAJ
description For a number of well-documented watersheds and their adjacent coastal zones, a simplified, but generic approach was developed to explore current nutrient deliveries to their corresponding marine system, characterized by their flushing rate/residence time and morphology. An indicator of eutrophication was defined derived from both the C:N:P:Si stoichiometry of the riverine nutrient delivery and the physical features of the receiving marine bay (B_ICEP). Results show that the morphological and hydrological conditions characterizing coastal zones are the main determinants of the manifestation of eutrophication caused by an imbalance of nitrogen (and/or phosphorus) with respect to silica in the river nutrient loading. Action on the structure of the agro-food system of the upstream watershed, which determines the nitrogen losses to the hydrosystem, is identified as the most efficient control for attenuating coastal eutrophication. A comprehensive and generic concept of the systemic processes responsible for river and coastal water degradation can be achieved with a chain of nested models, describing the terrestrial agro-food system of the watershed, the river network, including the biogeochemical processes responsible for water quality, and the ecological functioning of the receiving marine area, in terms of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica cycles. This leads to a land-to-sea continuum view, promoting interdisciplinarity and dialogue among the various scientific communities and their modeling approaches. This would also help the actors in multiple sectors (farming, fisheries, tourism, etc) and policy-makers make harmonized choices for a sustainable environment through an economically and socially viable way of life for all citizens.
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spelling doaj.art-f8f433c48a8e40bb986132a692b5dc782023-08-09T14:59:11ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research Letters1748-93262021-01-0116202300510.1088/1748-9326/abc777Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophicationJosette Garnier0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9416-9242Gilles Billen1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4413-4169Luis Lassaletta2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9428-2149Olga Vigiak3Nikolaos P Nikolaidis4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6223-7519Bruna Grizzetti5SU CNRS EPHE, Umr Metis 7619 , 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, FranceSU CNRS EPHE, Umr Metis 7619 , 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, FranceETSI Agronomica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, CEIGRAM/Department Agricultural Production, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Madrid, SpainEuropean Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) , 21027 Ispra, VA, ItalySchool of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete , 73100 Chania, GreeceEuropean Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) , 21027 Ispra, VA, ItalyFor a number of well-documented watersheds and their adjacent coastal zones, a simplified, but generic approach was developed to explore current nutrient deliveries to their corresponding marine system, characterized by their flushing rate/residence time and morphology. An indicator of eutrophication was defined derived from both the C:N:P:Si stoichiometry of the riverine nutrient delivery and the physical features of the receiving marine bay (B_ICEP). Results show that the morphological and hydrological conditions characterizing coastal zones are the main determinants of the manifestation of eutrophication caused by an imbalance of nitrogen (and/or phosphorus) with respect to silica in the river nutrient loading. Action on the structure of the agro-food system of the upstream watershed, which determines the nitrogen losses to the hydrosystem, is identified as the most efficient control for attenuating coastal eutrophication. A comprehensive and generic concept of the systemic processes responsible for river and coastal water degradation can be achieved with a chain of nested models, describing the terrestrial agro-food system of the watershed, the river network, including the biogeochemical processes responsible for water quality, and the ecological functioning of the receiving marine area, in terms of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica cycles. This leads to a land-to-sea continuum view, promoting interdisciplinarity and dialogue among the various scientific communities and their modeling approaches. This would also help the actors in multiple sectors (farming, fisheries, tourism, etc) and policy-makers make harmonized choices for a sustainable environment through an economically and socially viable way of life for all citizens.https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abc777land-to-sea continuumcoastal eutrophicationcoastal zone characteristicswater-agro-food systemB_ICEP indicator
spellingShingle Josette Garnier
Gilles Billen
Luis Lassaletta
Olga Vigiak
Nikolaos P Nikolaidis
Bruna Grizzetti
Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
Environmental Research Letters
land-to-sea continuum
coastal eutrophication
coastal zone characteristics
water-agro-food system
B_ICEP indicator
title Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
title_full Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
title_fullStr Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
title_full_unstemmed Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
title_short Hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro-food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
title_sort hydromorphology of coastal zone and structure of watershed agro food system are main determinants of coastal eutrophication
topic land-to-sea continuum
coastal eutrophication
coastal zone characteristics
water-agro-food system
B_ICEP indicator
url https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abc777
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