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RESEARCH PRODUCT

δ15N in deployed macroalgae as a tool to monitor nutrient input driven by tourism activities in Mediterranean islands

Cristina AndolinaAgostino TomaselloGeraldina SignaAntonio MazzolaSalvatrice Vizzini

subject

0106 biological sciencesSettore BIO/07 - EcologiaCystoseira010604 marine biology & hydrobiologyδ15N010501 environmental sciencesAquatic ScienceEutrophicationOceanographyGIS01 natural sciencesPollutionFisheryMediterranean seaGeographyBiomonitoringIndicatorsSeawaterEutrophicationMediterranean IslandsCoastal managementTourism0105 earth and related environmental sciencesTrophic levelStable isotopes

description

Abstract Mediterranean Sea is among the world's leading tourist destinations; however, the sharp increase in tourists during the high season may affect coastal seawater. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and temporal variation of anthropogenic nutrients in coastal seawater in relation to tourist flows in three Mediterranean islands (Cyprus, Sicily and Rhodes), through short-term macroalgae deployments, coupled with δ15N analysis and GIS mapping. In all islands, an overall increase in macroalgae δ15N occurred over the deployment carried out in August in the tourist sites, suggesting the presence of anthropogenic nutrients. Decreasing δ15N values occurred at increasing distance from the coastline in two out of the three islands (Cyprus and Sicily). This study revealed the usefulness of the approach used in the assessment of tourism impact in terms of trophic enrichment and its potential to support competent authorities for the development of sustainable coastal management plans.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2020-10-01
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111504http://hdl.handle.net/10447/430624