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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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate the assistance provided by Dr. Giorgio Anfuso in granulometric analysis, Mr. Carlos González in bathymetry data, and Mr. Mike Gould in English revision. This work was supported by the project: Diagnóstico ambiental del medio acuático y evaluación de la contaminación acústica en el Campo de Gibraltar (OT 2006/048), financed by the Regional Government of Andalucia, Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Technologies, Centro Andaluz de Ciencia y Tecnología Marinas (CACYTMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, C.P.11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    D. González-Fernández & M. C. Garrido-Pérez

  2. Department of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, C.P. 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    E. Nebot-Sanz & D. Sales-Márquez

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  1. D. González-Fernández
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  2. M. C. Garrido-Pérez
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Correspondence to D. González-Fernández.

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González-Fernández, D., Garrido-Pérez, M.C., Nebot-Sanz, E. et al. 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. EcoHealth 7, 473–484 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-010-0671-9

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