Submitted by: Nona Sheila Agawin Ph.D. University of the Balearic Islands nona.agawin@uib.es
Abstract:
The concern over the presence of organic and inorganic UV filters (UVFs) in coastal waters has risen due to their potential impact on the over-all state of marine ecosystems. Their accumulation is particularly relevant in Mediterranean coasts, which are subject to a high tourism pressure during summer and can impact the health of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, a key species in these coasts. We report the accumulation of different organic and inorganic (TiO2, ZnO) UVFs in P. oceanica meadows in seven locations in Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain) and their potential impact on P. oceanica through a correlational study. In all the locations, Zn has been found in the surface and canopy waters with concentrations from 0.037 to 4.347 µg L-1 and Zn in the water column is negatively correlated with leaf length and surface area, and positively correlated with an antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase) evaluated on P. oceanica leaves. Organic UVFs (such as ODPABA, 2OHBP, 4MBC, BP3, EHMC, EHS, HMS and Octocrylene) were found in the water and sediments in the seagrass meadows. Octocrylene, BP3, HMS and ODPABA in the sediments reached up to 2560, 3.7, 385.2 and 20.1 ng g-1 d.w., respectively, and each is negatively correlated with density (at 100% cover) of P. oceanica. Moreover, 4-MBC in the sediments, reaching up to 4.53 ng g-1 d.w., is negatively correlated with leaf length and surface area. These results, albeit preliminary and requiring further research, prompt for considering management schemes to protect seagrass meadows in coasts receiving significant amounts of UVFs.
Primary Session Choice: CS016 Environmental Change
Authors:
Nona Sheila Agawin, University of the Balearic Islands (nona.agawin@uib.es)
Manuela Gertrudis García-Márquez, University of the Balearic Islands (manuela-gertrudis.garcia1@estudiant.uib.cat)
Diego Rita Espada, University of the Balearic Islands (diego.rita@uib.cat)
Lillie Freemantle, University of Cádiz ()
Marina Pintado Herrera, University of Cádiz (marina.pintado@gm.uca.es)
Antonio Tovar-Sánchez, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, ICMAN (CSIC) (a.tovar@csic.es)
Accumulation of organic and inorganic UV filters (UVFs) in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in Formentera: a major tourist destination in the Balearic Islands
Category
Scientific Sessions > CS016 Environmental Change
Description
Preference: Poster