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OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to quantitatively describe the intensity of
the anthropogenic pressure on the estuarine ecosystem of the
Ramallosa intertidal complex, by adopting an integrated
approach. Socioeconomic data, land use changes in the
catchment area, temporal variability of sedimentary properties
(size structure, organic C, C and N stable isotopic composition and
metals concentration) together with changes in the spatial
coverage of estuarine vegetation were evaluated.
total population
2,5
total houses
1,5
40000
1
20000
0,5
0
1960
0
1980
Year
2000
Houses/person
80000
The
catchment
area experienced
sharp increases in
human population
(78 %) and 12-fold
increase in number
of buildings in the
1960-2012 period.
The ratio number
of buildings per
inhabitant increased from 0.27 in
1960 to 1.95 by
2012.
Study area in
the NW of the
Iberian
Peninsula.
Change (1990-2006)
Ha
%
264.96
377.48
160.09
66.51
-8.11
-0.75
-124.11
-4.32
-293.64
-5.65
200.6574 ha were transformed in the catchment from natural to artificial areas in the 1990-2006
period. The larger relative variations were observed in the industrial or commercial units (304 %),
discontinuous urban fabric (72 %) and shrub lands (66 %).
HEAVY METALS
Muds
Sand
Gravels
Ha
SPATIAL COVERAGE OF
ZOSTERA NOLTII 10
8
6
4
2
0
5.93
1989
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28
32
36
40
44
48
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Cu
Zn
BC
Cu BC
Pb
Pb
BC Zn
CONCLUSIONS
9.71
2011
mg/kg (dw)
Depth (cm)
Clays
Only in 2011
Only in 1989
REFERENCES:
McClelland, J.W. and Valiela, I. (1998). Linking nitrogen in estuarine producers to land-derived sources. Limnology and Oceanography 43:577585.
Oslo and Paris Commision (2005). Agreement on Background Concentrations for Contaminants in Seawater, Biota and Sediment (OSPAR Agreement 2005-6). Replaces OSPAR Agreement 1997-14. OSPAR Commission, London.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Cynthia Silvina Fernndez Daz
Aida Ovejero Campos