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Abstract The opening of the Cacela Inlet (southern Portugal) in 2010 led to unforeseen effects observed after 2017, including an extreme acceleration of the retreat of the inland lagoon margin from about 0.2 to 2 m/year. This was a consequence of the development of a large flood delta in an area of limited accommodation space, forcing the main tidal channel to move inland. The coastal retreat currently affects a flat sandy area that separates the old and inactive Cacela cliff from the lagoon. Between 2035 and 2040, the currently inactive Cacela cliff is likely to become active again, posing a potential risk of damage to a medieval fortress and the existing settlement of Cacela Velha, an unforeseen cascading effect of the opening of the inlet. In order to prevent instability and damage to this legally protected area of national and public interest, several coastal management measures will be required.

The opening of the Cacela Inlet (southern Portugal) in 2010 led to unforeseen effects observed after 2017, including an extreme acceleration of the retreat of the inland lagoon margin from about 0.2 to 2 m/year. This was a consequence of the development of a large flood delta in an area of limited accommodation space, forcing the main tidal channel to move inland. The coastal retreat currently affects a flat sandy area that separates the old and inactive Cacela cliff from the lagoon. Between 2025 and 2030, the currently inactive Cacela cliff is likely to become active again, posing a potential risk of damage to a medieval fortress and the existing settlement of Cacela Velha, an unforeseen cascading effect of the opening of the inlet. In order to prevent instability and damage to this legally protected area of national and public interest, several coastal management measures will be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton are dominant primary producers and key indicators in aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the controlling factors on the structure of phytoplankton assemblages is fundamental, but particularly challenging at the land–ocean interface. To identify the patterns and predictors of phytoplankton assemblage structure in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (south Portugal), this study combined phytoplankton abundance along a transect between the discharge point of a wastewater treatment plant and a lagoon inlet, over two years, with physico-chemical, hydrographic, and meteo-oceanographic variables. Our study identified 147 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and planktonic diatoms (60–74%) and cryptophyceans (17–25%) dominated the phytoplankton in terms of abundance. Despite strong lagoon hydrodynamics, and the lack of spatial differences in the phytoplankton abundance and most diversity metrics, the multivariate analysis revealed differences in the assemblage structure between stations (p < 0.001) and seasons (p < 0.01). Indicator analysis identified cryptophyceans as lagoon generalists, and 11 station-specific specialist OTUs, including Kryptoperidinium foliaceum and Oscillatoriales (innermost stations) and potentially toxigenic species (Pseudo-nitzschia and Dinophysis; outer lagoon station, p < 0.05). Water temperature, pH, and nutrients emerged as the variables that best explained the changes in the phytoplankton assemblage structure (p < 0.001). Our findings provide insight into the relevance of local anthropogenic and natural forcings on the phytoplankton assemblage structure and can be used to support the management of RF and other coastal lagoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Assessment of the fate of microbial contamination driven from treated wastewater disposal at a highly productive zone on a South European coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa). Methods and results: Microbial indicators of contamination (Total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Enterococci) were evaluated monthly during September 2018–September 2020 at three study areas (Faro, Olhão, and Tavira) under different wastewater discharge flows and hydrodynamic conditions. Additional data on E. coli monitoring in bivalves, available from the national institution responsible for their surveillance was also considered. The maximum microbial contamination was found at Faro, the highest-load and less-flushed study area, contrasting the lowest contamination at Olhão, a lower-load and strongly flushed area. The wastewater impact decreased along the spatial dispersal gradients and during high water, particularly at Faro and Tavira study areas, due to a considerable dilution effect. Microbial contamination at Olhão increased during the summer, while at the other study areas seasonal evidence was not clear. Data also indicate that E. coli in bivalves from bivalve production zones next to the three study areas reflected the differentiated impact of the wastewater treatment plants effluents on the water quality of those areas. Conclusions: Effluent loads together with local hydrodynamics, water temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, and land runoff as well as seabirds populations and environmentally adapted faecal or renaturelized bacterial communities, contributed to microbial contamination of the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of large populations of yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis in coastal and urban areas can lead to strong changes in vegetation cover and composition through creating physical disturbance in the vegetation and impacting the soil quality through defecation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of breeding yellow-legged gull populations on tall and short vegetation cover and plant species composition in old (occupied for 13 years) and new (occupied for 3 years) colony sites in grey dunes of the Algarve, southern Portugal. In each site, sampling plots were used to measure the percentage of vegetation cover in areas with and without breeding gulls. In the old colony site, the cover by tall vegetation was substantially reduced and the cover by short vegetation substantially increased in the areas where gulls are breeding in comparison with the adjacent areas. In the new colony sites, there were only minor differences. The increase in cover of short vegetation in the breeding area of the old colony site was mostly by nitrophilous species (Paronychia argentea and Malcolmia littorea) and should be explained by the decrease in vegetation cover of tall plant species and by feces deposition. Tall and slow-growing species Suaeda maritima and Helichrysum italicum covers were negatively affected. Our results showed that yellow-legged gulls affected vegetation cover and composition of grey dunes after 3 years of consecutive breeding, and this should be considered in the management of these habitats where breeding yellow-legged gulls are increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal lagoons are highly productive systems and the quantification of mass fluxes, which is of paramount importance for the sustainable management of these systems, remains poorly studied. In this context, a detailed study was conducted to better understand the exchanges between the productive coastal lagoon Ria Formosa (South-West Europe) and the ocean. The exchanges of water, nutrients, chlorophyll-a and suspended solids between the main inlets (Faro-Olhão inlet - BFO; Armona inlet - BAR; and Ancão inlet - BAN) and adjacent channels (Faro - CF and Olhão - CO) and the adjacent ocean were estimated along complete semidiurnal tidal cycles, under extreme fortnightly tidal ranges and different seasonal and environmental/oceanographic conditions. The net tidal prism was highest during spring tides. Among the three inlets, BFO was the most important in terms of exchange, followed by BAR and BAN. Net transport at BFO was lowest during the Summer campaign, although it exported material that fertilised the adjacent coast. The persistent net export of suspended solids and ammonium suggests the higher biological productivity of Ria Formosa compared to that found in coastal waters. In the Winter campaign, after a period of rainfall and increased land runoff, there was a remarkable export of matter, on which, ammonium and suspended particles exported can exceed 0.3 times and almost 0.9 times, respectively, those imported from coastal water. However, the import of phosphate and nitrate can be attributed to a weak coastal upwelling event, as well to low consumption and nitrification at this period of low temperature. During the Spring and Autumn campaigns, the Ria Formosa was fertilised either by upwelling events or due to rapid consumption of nutrients by phytoplankton in this shallow system. BFO and the other two inlets of the western sector of Ria Formosa are interconnected by CF and CO. The higher nutrient transport was recorded at CF, despite the highest nutrients concentrations was recorded at CO. The data show the strong link between physical and biogeochemical processes with meteorological/oceanographic factors. The study showed that associated biological processes are superimposed on the tidal effect in this system. Data from this study could be used as a reference, particularly important for management of Ria Formosa, a productive system where bivalves production depends deeply on water quality. In addition, the nutrient concentrations and mass exchanges resulting from the different processes can be used as a reference for other lagoon systems where shellfish production is practised. • Exchanges of mass were estimated between Ria Formosa (RF) and the adjacent ocean. • Among the three inlets, BFO arose as the most important regarding mass exchanges. • The net tidal prism was highest during spring tides. • RF fertilised the ocean but being also a sink of dissolved and particulate material. • Meteorological/oceanographic and biological processes superimposed on the tides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal lagoons are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, and they provide a wide range of ecosystem services and resources. In the Ria Formosa (southern Portugal), phytoplankton production has rarely been addressed. The main goal of this study is thus to evaluate the variability of phytoplankton production and photosynthetic characteristics over the seasonal cycle and in different locations (landward, urban, intermediate, and seaward boundaries) of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, subjected to distinct natural and anthropogenic stressors. Primary production was evaluated using the 14C incorporation technique, and photosynthetic parameters were estimated by fitting photosynthesis-irradiance curves. Primary production showed significant seasonal variations, with higher values in the summer associated with lower euphotic depths, higher water temperatures, and higher nutrient concentrations. No spatial differences were found for primary production or photosynthetic parameters. Primary production values were lower than previous estimates, which reflects an improvement in water quality in the Ria Formosa, but values are higher than primary production estimates for other temperate coastal ecosystems, which reflects the highly productive nature of this coastal lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ria Formosa, Southern Portugal (Algarve) is a mesotidal lagoon with restricted exchange with Atlantic Ocean. Due to arid Mediterranean climate and absence of large freshwater inputs, the lagoon remains hypersaline relative to adjacent ocean (≥37 psu). Generally, fecal coliforms and land-derived bacteria do not survive long in seawater due to UV, osmotic shock, oligotrophy and competition with marine bacteria. However, survival of human pathogenic viruses in natural waters remains relatively unknown. In view of 2020–2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this preliminary study aimed to estimate potential contamination by wastewater and persistence in marine environment. Five sampling campaigns (45 total samples) were completed in 2020 and 2021 at three stations in the lagoon, as well as inflow and outflow from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Despite relatively high fecal contamination at lagoon stations, SARS-CoV-2 could not be detected in surface waters using improved methodology. Untreated wastewaters were positive at Faro-Aeroporto 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020, 08/03/2021; Vilamoura 21/10/2020, 14/12/2020; Olhão 14/12/2020. All treated wastewaters were negative, as well as environmental samples. Highest viral titers were observed in Faro-Aeroporto WWTP on 8 March 2021 (1.35 x 105 genomic copies L−1) coinciding with peak SARS-CoV-2 cumulative positive cases in Algarve (2.03 x 104), yet SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in Vilamoura and Olhão raw wastewater then. Thus, the contamination potential of SARS-CoV-2 seemed non-existent in the Ria Formosa during peak pandemic surges in Algarve. However, predicted climate change and its impact on microbial populations remains a challenge to be addressed by both health and tourist authorities.

The Ria Formosa is an important transitional and coastal lagoon on the south coast of Portugal that provides valuable ecosystem services. The lagoon is a protected area under national and international conventions. There is a great potential for Blue Growth sectors, such as aquaculture and coastal tourism, but these rely on good water quality. European environmental legislation, such as the Water Framework Directive, requires member states, such as Portugal to implement management measures if a surface water body is not of good ecological status. This work addresses the effectiveness of management measures, such as wastewater treatment plant implementation and dredging, on the water quality of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon system. This is an important social-ecological issue, since management measures can be very expensive. The ecological status of Ria Formosa was evaluated, according to the physico-chemical and biological quality elements of the Water Framework Directive. The main indicators were the physico-chemical quality elements of nutrient and oxygen condition, and the biological quality element chlorophyll a, as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, under the Water Framework Directive. The data for these quality elements from the Ria Formosa were analyzed for consistency with the classification for the Water Framework Directive water bodies. The data after the implementation of management measures was compared with historical data to evaluate if these measures had been effective. The relation between nutrient pressures, meteorological and hydrological conditions was addressed, especially rainfall and runoff. Results showed a decrease in nutrient concentration after the management interventions, despite the increase of population and intensifying agriculture in the catchment. The Ecological Status is spatially variable with an overall moderate status, indicating the need for further management measures. There is a significant reduction in nutrient pressure on the lagoon during drought years. This indicates that climate change may alter the structure and function of the lagoon in the future.

Recruitment is a critical component of the plant life cycle, but little is known about its contribution to community assembly in comparison to later plant stages. We aimed to analyze the relevance of recruitment niche segregation in community assembly using tidal salt marshes in a Mediterranean climate. With this objective, we recorded the spatio-temporal distribution of seedling emergence and its relationships with propagule density and environmental conditions at the community level along the tidal gradient. Results indicate that seedling recruitment was strongly influenced by differential establishment abilities and the effects of sedimentary and meteorological factors that vary seasonally and along the tidal gradient. Taxa colonizing the same habitats showed some similarities in their recruitment patterns, but they also presented enough differences to configure almost a unique recruitment pattern for each taxa. Sediment characteristics segregated recruitment niches at both extremes of the tidal gradient, and the few species colonizing habitats between these two extremes also showed contrasted spatial recruitment patterns. In addition, sequential differences in seedling emergence segregated within high marsh taxa. Most of the taxa exhibited a continuous germination strategy associated to prolonged flowering periods and the ability to germinate along broad salinity ranges. Our results shed light on the importance of recruitment niche segregation to the assembly of plant communities, which is key for understanding their functioning and guiding their management. • Seedling recruitment was strongly influenced by differential establishment abilities. • Seedling recruitment was influenced by sedimentary and meteorological factors. • Sediment characteristics segregated recruitment niches at both tidal extremes. • Sequential differences in seedling emergence segregated within high marsh taxa. • Most of the taxa exhibited a continuous germination strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alongshore response of dunes to storm events can be extremely variable and, consequently, their capacity to maintain their services, including the protection of hinterland communities. In this study, the role of biotic and abiotic factors determining the magnitude of dune retreat driven by a severe storm along a 60 km barrier island system was investigated. Data from high‐resolution satellite imagery, digital terrain models, and wave propagation models were used in this assessment. The assessed abiotic factors included the backshore volume, dune height, downdrift inlet distance, and incident wave power. The evaluated biotic factor was the vegetation cover, characterized by a vegetation index retrieved from the multispectral imagery. The results revealed large alongshore variability on dune retreat, ranging from negligible impact to ca. 40 m of retreat. All combined factors allowed us to explain up to 70% of the dune retreat variability through a multi‐regression analysis. Among all investigated factors, the major contributor controlling the magnitude of dune retreat was the backshore volume (more robust berms reduced the retreat) followed by the wave power (normal and longitudinal components). Moreover, the removal of local salient features in the dune line caused the straightening of the coastline, highly contributing to the development of dune retreat hotspots. The other evaluated factors had a smaller influence on reducing coastal retreat, including the vegetation, whose contribution to dune protection was around one order of magnitude lower than that provided by the backshore volume. The results highlight the importance of regional assessments to understand the causes behind the large alongshore variability of storm impacts at dunes. They also state the relatively low influence of the vegetation from this climatic region to enhance dune resistance to storms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to understand the relationship that the residents of Fuzeta, a fishing village in southern Portugal, establish with the Ria Formosa Natural Park, through the concept of place attachment. Recent studies on the relationship between individuals and places highlight the importance of this place attachment, but despite its abundant use, it remains in a stage of theoretical underdevelopment. Furthermore, the lack of research on the attachment to Portuguese Natural Parks endowed this research with an exploratory character and led to the need to a new definition of the concept of place attachment and to the construction of a broader analytical model. The attribution and maintenance of meanings and values to the places, implies not only the relationship of people with the physical elements of the territory but also the interactions of individuals with each other, their sharing of history and culture, and other aspects that can either strengthen or weaken people's attachments to places. We propose in this article a new analytical model that includes, at the same time, the factors that participate in the attribution of meanings and values to places, and also those that participate in the place attachment process whether in a contributory way or in a disruptive way. The empirical study presented in this article adopted a qualitative interpretative methodology through the use of semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thus, 26 Fuzeta residents engaged in leisure or professional activities in the Ria Formosa lagoon were interviewed. The interviewees were workers from several professional activities that use the lagoon - such as fishermen and shellfish catchers, restaurant and hospitality workers, as well as those engaged in leisure activities such as sunbathing, recreational fishing, the catching of shellfish and crustaceans, hiking, boating, windsurfing and camping. The results indicate that the inhabitants of Fuzeta have a very strong and multidimensional attachment to the Ria Formosa that is related to the meanings, emotions, feelings they attribute to it and mainly to the perception of its irreplaceability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to understand the relationship that the residents of Fuzeta, a fishing village in southern Portugal, establish with the Ria Formosa Natural Park, through the concept of place attachment. Recent studies on the relationship between individuals and places highlight the importance of this place attachment, but despite its abundant use, it remains in a stage of theoretical underdevelopment. Furthermore, the lack of research on the attachment to Portuguese Natural Parks endowed this research with an exploratory character and led to the need to a new definition of the concept of place attachment and to the construction of a broader analytical model.The attribution and maintenance of meanings and values to the places, implies not only the relationship of people with the physical elements of the territory but also the interactions of individuals with each other, their sharing of history and culture, and other aspects that can either strengthen or weaken people’s attachments to places. We propose in this article a new analytical model that includes, at the same time, the factors that participate in the attribution of meanings and values to places, and also those that participate in the place attachment process whether in a contributory way or in a disruptive way.The empirical study presented in this article adopted a qualitative interpretative methodology through the use of semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thus, 26 Fuzeta residents engaged in leisure or professional activities in the Ria Formosa lagoon were interviewed. The interviewees were workers from several professional activities that use the lagoon – such as fishermen and shellfish catchers, restaurant and hospitality workers, as well as those engaged in leisure activities such as sunbathing, recreational fishing, the catching of shellfish and crustaceans, hiking, boating, windsurfing and camping. The results indicate that the inhabitants of Fuzeta have a very strong and multidimensional attachment to the Ria Formosa that is related to the meanings, emotions, feelings they attribute to it and mainly to the perception of its irreplaceability.

Coastal lagoons are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, and they provide a wide range of ecosystem services and resources. In the Ria Formosa (southern Portugal), phytoplankton production has rarely been addressed. The main goal of this study is thus to evaluate the variability of phytoplankton production and photosynthetic characteristics over the seasonal cycle and in different locations (landward, urban, intermediate, and seaward boundaries) of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, subjected to distinct natural and anthropogenic stressors. Primary production was evaluated using the 14C incorporation technique, and photosynthetic parameters were estimated by fitting photosynthesis-irradiance curves. Primary production showed significant seasonal variations, with higher values in the summer associated with lower euphotic depths, higher water temperatures, and higher nutrient concentrations. No spatial differences were found for primary production or photosynthetic parameters. Primary production values were lower than previous estimates, which reflects an improvement in water quality in the Ria Formosa, but values are higher than primary production estimates for other temperate coastal ecosystems, which reflects the highly productive nature of this coastal lagoon.

Despite worldwide proliferation of the genus Caulerpa and subsequent effects on benthic communities, little is known about the nutritional physiology of the Caulerpales. Here, we investigated the uptake rates of ammonium, nitrate, amino acids, and phosphate through the fronds and rhizoids + stolon, the internal translocation of nitrogen, and developed a nitrogen budget for the rapidly spreading Caulerpa prolifera in Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal. Caulerpa prolifera acquired nutrients by both aboveground and belowground parts at similar rates, except nitrate, for which fronds showed 2‐fold higher uptake rates. Ammonium was the preferential nitrogen source (81% of the total nitrogen acquisition), and amino acids, which accounted for a significant fraction of total N acquisition (19%), were taken up at faster rates than nitrate. Basipetal translocation of 15N incorporated as ammonium was nearly 3‐fold higher than acropetal translocation, whereas 15N translocation as nitrate and amino acids was smaller but equal in either direction. The estimated total nitrogen acquisition by C. prolifera was 689 μmol · m−2 · h−1, whereas the total nitrogen requirement for growth was 672 μmol · m−2 · h−1. The uptake of ammonium and amino acids by belowground parts accounted for the larger fraction of the total nitrogen acquisition of C. prolifera and is sufficient to satisfy the species nitrogen requirements for growth. This may be one reason explaining the fast spreading of the seaweed in the bare sediments of Ria Formosa where it does not have any macrophyte competitors and the concentration of nutrients is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Jacob, J.; Correia, C.; Torres, A.F.; Xufre, G.; Matos, A.; Ferreira, C.; Reis, M.P.; Caetano, S.; Freitas, C.S.; Barbosa, A.B., and Cravo, A., 2020. Impacts of decommissioning and upgrading urban wastewater treatment plants on the water quality in a shellfish farming coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa, South Portugal). In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 45–50. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Ria Formosa is a productive coastal lagoon, located on the south coast of Portugal, and represents the largest national producer of shellfish bivalves (ca. 90% production). This ecosystem is subjected to various anthropogenic pressures, including the discharge of urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP), which impacts the lagoon water quality. This study aimed to assess the impact of alterations in the functioning of two UWWTP on the water quality of Ria Formosa, based on chemical variables, phytoplankton composition (including potential harmful species) and faecal contamination. During the period September 2018 - October 2019, water sampling was conducted along dominant longitudinal gradients of the effluent dispersion from the discharge point (1-2 km), for two sites: a decommissioned (OP) and a modified (FO) UWWTP. After modification, the later started receiving a higher influent volume (ca. 40%), under an innovative technology system (biological treatment in aerobic granular sludge). Based on chemical water quality variables, phytoplankton and indicators of faecal contamination, a significant improvement along the longitudinal gradient from the discharge point was observed after OP decommissioning. This improvement was fast, being detected two months after decommissioning, positively affecting areas used as shellfish farming grounds. However, distribution patterns of bacteriological indicators and regular shellfish harvesting interdictions suggested an alternative source of faecal contamination after OP decommissioning. At FO, both chemical variables and bacteriological indicators of faecal contamination revealed a slower improvement, only six-months after the UWWTP alteration. Before that, increased and highly variable ammonium, chlorophyll a concentration, phytoplankton abundances and Escherichia coli densities, revealed an unstable phase. Overall, a lower water quality at FO in respect to OP reflected not only a higher effluent volume but also more restricted water circulation for the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Algarve the potential for birdwatching tourism is widely recognized, especially in the Ria Formosa Natural Park (RFNP). This study aims to describe birdwatchers’ profile in the RFNP. For this purpose, a survey was applied. The results show that the most frequent nationalities of birdwatchers are: British (39%), Dutch (17%) and Portuguese (17%). The majority of birdwatchers are male (55%) and married (57%). The average age is 50 years old. They are highly educated (74% have an academic degree). Concerning profession, the most frequent answer was retired (41%). Respondents are committed to the activity as the majority possess special equipment and practice birdwatching in vacations. This study also tests if nationality is related to other characteristics of the birdwatchers, by using the Kruskal-Wallis and the Chi-square tests. Overall, the results of this study highlight that regional management organizations should invest in developing birdwatching in the RFNP.

To examine the extent to which human activities near the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon influence the accumulation of trace elements (TE) in Ruditapes decussatus, individuals were transplanted from a natural bank located in the lower lagoon to three sites located in clam growth grounds under the influence of a small city (Faro), a fish farming centre (Olhão) and a site near the lagoon inlet (Lavajo). Concentrations were determined in substrate of the clam grounds and in the digestive gland, gills, mantle plus siphons, and remaining tissues of clams in four periods of the year. These measurements were accomplished with the monthly survey of the gametogenic stages, condition index, proteins, glycogen, total lipids, pH and osmolarity of hemolymph. Arsenic, Cu, Mn, V, Cr and Pb were preferentially linked to the digestive gland, while Cd was linked to the gills. TE concentrations in the digestive gland and remaining tissues were higher in winter, most likely reflecting additional inputs associated with rain. The lack of disruptions in biological parameters and the prolonged period of spawning and gonad recovery in clams suggest that the current TE availability in the lagoon has a minor influence on the reproductive cycle and hence on clam production.

Abstract Despite the advances and increase of observations of physical and chemical processes to better understand the functioning of coastal environments, a large gap still exists in quantifying exchanges and interactions between adjacent coastal systems. It is important to bear in mind that the dynamics and mass exchanges depend on the variability of the driving mechanisms and respond to several time scales (tidal, seasonal and inter-annual). The general objective of this work was to unravel the role of the driving forces on the nutrients and chlorophyll- a exchanges at the Ancão inlet of Ria Formosa lagoon during the most productive season - spring. This is the smallest inlet of the western system, the closest to continental interface and the one where migratory patterns are evident. So, the changes along time could be more evident there than at the other two inlets of the western sector. Ancão inlet will serve as a reference to compare the mass budgets exchanged with the ocean with the other two inlets. Specifically, this work intends to: i) better understand the behaviour of this inlet; ii) its role in the mass exchanges; and iii) its interplay with phytoplankton productivity during the peak season. In this context, the transport of water, nutrients and chlorophyll- a (proxy of phytoplankton density) were estimated across the Ancão inlet section during the spring season. Surveys were conducted under extreme fortnightly tidal conditions during 2007, 2009 and 2012, covering different hydrodynamic, meteorological and environmental conditions. To estimate the mass transport, field velocities, nutrients and chlorophyll- a concentrations were measured concurrently along its cross section. Results show that although the hydrodynamic and morphologic changes recorded at this inlet provoked a loss of hydraulic efficiency apparently these did not markedly affect the mass exchanges during the spring productive season. Globally, the contribution and intensity of the meteorological/physical, chemical and biological drivers superimposed those affected by tides, reflected in the differences between the five surveys conducted. Upwelling was frequent during the spring season and played a key role on the exchanges and mass transport through the Ancão inlet. Data also show that nutrients behaved dissimilarly; silicate was consistently exported, nitrate mostly imported, dependent on the intensity of upwelling and biological consumption, while phosphate generally followed the direction of residual circulation. Chlorophyll- a showed a general import except in both 2012 campaigns, when it was exported in small amounts (<1 kg). Data support that during spring season, particularly in periods when upwelling is relevant, the availability of nutrients on the coast will promote afterwards the growth of phytoplankton that enters and fertilizes the Ria Formosa, increasing its productivity. The estimated amounts are relative to the smallest inlet of the western sector of Ria Formosa. In consequence, it may be anticipated that through the other main inlets from this sector the exchanges are intensified and may enhance their contribution to the Ria Formosa fertilization. Highlights • Role of driving forces in mass transport in the Ancão inlet, Ria Formosa is presented. • Morphologic changes at Ancão inlet did not affect markedly the mass exchanges. • Physical/meteorological and biological drivers superimposed those of tidal conditions. • During spring, under upwelling events, the coast further fertilizes the Ria Formosa. • Changes at Ancão inlet might affect the interconnectivity with the other main inlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holocene evolution of the Ria Formosa barrier island system was studied through the examination of a large subsurface dataset acquired from 191 boreholes and five seismic refraction profiles. Two boreholes with total depths of 26 and 16.5 m were selected for a multi-proxy detailed laboratory analysis, including mean grain size distribution, organic matter (OM) content, color variation, shell identification, and benthic foraminifera assemblages. Selected cores are thought to be representative of the identified depositional sub-basins. Subsurface age data from 16 AMS 14C dated samples were plotted against depth and resulted in a coherent age model of sedimentary infill. The system evolution was largely controlled by sediment availability, accommodation space, and Holocene sea level rise, first at a rapid rate of 7 mm/yr from 10 kcal yr BP to 7.25 kcal yr BP, followed by a slowdown to 1.1 mm/yr until present. A conceptual model for the origin and Holocene evolution of the Ria Formosa barrier island system implies three main steps, leading to the present system geomorphology: (1) marine flooding of incised palaeovalleys by the rapid transgression of palaeovalleys in the early Holocene; (2) development of a proto-barrier island chain perched on Pleistocene detritic headlands and steeper interfluve areas during the early to middle Holocene; and (3) full development of the barrier islands chain and enclosing of the coastal lagoon, followed by the maturation of the system with subsequent siltation and salt marsh expansion from the middle Holocene until present. The onset of barrier system formation dates back to ca. 8 kcal yr BP, predating previously proposed age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper illustrates both the potential and challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration amongst researchers from the social sciences/humanities and the natural sciences/engineering in formulating disaster risk reduction measures for coastal regions. The authors aim to share their experiences of working across different scientific and engineering disciplines in the EU project RISC-KIT to co-produce disaster risk reduction measures suitable for specific regional and local contexts, in this case two coastal study areas in Europe (Porto Garibaldi, Italy and Rio Formosa, Portugal). An overview of the historic-cultural origins of scientific disciplines is first presented, explaining the historical fragmentation of scientific knowledge into natural and social sciences and its associated challenges for prior disaster risk studies – and how the current state of an interdisciplinary approach has emerged. This is followed by an analysis of interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on the experience and data collected (both quantitative and qualitative) from the two case study areas. The article concludes with suggestions to further overcome the segregation of disciplines within disaster risk studies and projects. The authors found that qualitative data help to understand knowledge, values and behaviours of institutional and non-institutional stakeholders in formulating appropriate risk reduction measures to increase resilience in a local context – and that such data work “hand in hand” with quantitative information. Furthermore, the collection of qualitative data by researchers of the natural science and engineering disciplines has the potential to build bridges between disciplines and to stimulate further investigations, as in this case, to explain contradictions in human behaviour when managing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Subterranean estuary seepage faces are recognized as important reactive interfaces that regulate solute transport to coastal ecosystems via Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD). Here we describe benthic processes and rates driving the biogeochemical regulation of SGD-borne inorganic N loading into the Ria Formosa lagoon (Iberian peninsula) through a sandy seepage face. Maximum potential NO 3 − reduction rates, obtained by kinetic modeling of advection-controlled flow-through reactor experiments, ranged from 2.33 ± 1.06 to 14.17 ± 0.22 nmol cm −3 “bulk” sediment (bs) h −1 . Maximum potential nitrification ranged from 0 to 7.5 ± 1.3 nmol cm −3 bs h −1 while potential ammonium assimilation was valued at 2.0 ± 0.3 nmol cm −3 bs h −1 . These NO 3 − reduction rates are in good agreement with previous estimates obtained by diagenetic modeling of in-situ porewater NO 3 − vertical profiles at the same location. Potential NO 3 − reduction rates were very sensitive to temperature (Q 10 = 3.5 ± 0.2). Porewater velocity seems to control net NO 3 − reduction rates, probably by determining solute distribution but also its supply to the microbial community by shaping the diffusive boundary layer around sediment particles. Nevertheless, NO 3 − reduction rates seem ultimately limited by organic matter availability at high velocities. Half-saturation constants of NO 3 − for NO 3 − reduction were low, suggesting that the NO 3 − reducing microbial community had high affinity for NO 3 − . In addition, our experiments provide evidence for the occurrence of alternative NO 3 − reduction pathways, including Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium (DNRA) and apparent aerobic NO 3 − reduction within the shallow subsurface sediment layer (2–12 cm depth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific patterns of local population abundances and differences in habitat preference of two seagrass resident pipefish species of the genus Syngnathus were investigated in a semi-protected lagoon system in Southern Portugal. The results of the combination of field surveys across different seagrass meadows and laboratory habitat choice experiments between May and September 2014 demonstrate that the pipefish population structure in a single-species meadow composed of Zostera noltei differed significantly from the ones in a single-species meadow of Cymodocea nodosa and a mixed meadow of both seagrasses. In addition, the two most abundant pipefish species, Syngnathus typhle and Syngnathus abaster , showed interspecific and intersexual differences in habitat selection both on a macro- and a microhabitat scale in laboratory experiments. The study suggests that in addition to the investigated structural characteristics of sea grasses ( i.e. shoot length and density), other factors such as flow velocity may influence habitat selection of syngnathids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal and annual nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) budgets of the mesotidal Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal, were estimated to reveal the main inputs and outputs, the seasonal patterns, and how they may influence the ecological functioning of the system. The effects of extreme weather events such as long-lasting strong winds causing upwelling and strong rainfall were assessed. External nutrient inputs were quantified; ocean exchange was assessed in 24-h sampling campaigns, and final calculations were made using a hydrodynamic model of the lagoon. Rain and stream inputs were the main freshwater sources to the lagoon. However, wastewater treatment plant and groundwater discharges dominated nutrient input, together accounting for 98, 96, and 88 % of total C, N, and P input, respectively. Organic matter and nutrients were continuously exported to the ocean. This pattern was reversed following extreme events, such as strong winds in early summer that caused upwelling and after a period of heavy rainfall in late autumn. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that ammonium and organic N and C exchange were positively associated with temperature as opposed to pH and nitrate. These variables reflected mostly the benthic lagoon metabolism, whereas particulate P exchange was correlated to Chl a, indicating that this was more related to phytoplankton dynamics. The increase of stochastic events, as expected in climate change scenarios, may have strong effects on the ecological functioning of coastal lagoons, altering the C and nutrient budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artisanal fishery for muricid gastropods in the Ria Formosa lagoon (Algarve coast, southern Portugal) is a locally important fishing activity because the banded murex (Hexaplex trunculus) and the purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) are greatly appreciated seafoods with high commercial value in the Portuguese seafood market. An integrated study was implemented to monitor the muricid gastropod fishery with the artisanal fishing gear (“wallet-line”) through monthly experimental fishing operations carried out during one year. The aim was to describe the fishing operations and fishing gear, to estimate the fishing yield, to characterise the target species catch composition, and to identify by-catch species and discards. The “wallet-line” is neither a species-specific nor a size-selective fishing gear, because the catches comprised a variety of by-catch species and a high proportion of commercially under-sized target species. The vast majority of the by-catch is discarded immediately on board, so mortality is presumably negligible. The CPUE of both target species and by-catch species decreased during consecutive fishing days, mainly due to declining bait attraction. Considering the overall information gathered on this fishing activity, some management measures are proposed for this artisanal fishery, which might ultimately contribute to the long-term sustainable exploitation of the fishing resource.

In Ria Formosa cockles (Cerastoderma edule) have traditionally been harvested with a harvesting-knife (HK). However, over the last six years there has been an increase in the use of a hand-dredge (HD) to exploit cockle beds. A comparative study on the impact of these harvesting methods on the benthic macrofauna was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the possible introduction of the hand-dredge in the fishery. Macrofaunal mortality was very low regardless of the gear. However, the total mortality resulting from using the HK was superior to the one observed for the HD. For the same fishing time the hand-dredge covers an area approximately five times greater that the one covered by the knife, with the former yielding 5 times the catch of the latter. Consequently, the use of hand-dredges increases the fishing effort, which may lead to the overexploitation of the cockle populations. Our results revealed that the immediate effect of both gears on macrobenthic communities was similar and minimal. Therefore, we believe that introducing the hand-dredge in the cockle fishery should only be authorised if other management measures, such as daily quotas, closed areas and limiting the number of fishing licenses, are implemented.

A Geographic Information Systems-based tool is used for macro-landform classification following the Hammond procedure, based upon a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) created from ordinary Kriging. Gentle slopes, surface curvature, highlands and lowlands areas are derived from the DTM. Combining this information allows the classification of terrain units (landforms). The procedure is applied to the Ria Formosa basin (Southern Portugal), with five different terrain types classified (plains, tablelands, plains with hills, open hills and hills). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Understanding the influence of the main drivers controlling the circulation and the transport in coastal lagoons is a necessary step towards the description of the dynamics of their ecosystems. Thus, the influence of the main physical drivers on the water exchanges in a multi-inlet barrier island (western sector of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, Portugal) was investigated. Several scenarios of tide, wind, bathymetry and point source discharges were simulated using a three-dimensional circulation model and a particle-tracking model. The circulation is adequately reproduced by the hydrodynamic model, with root mean square errors of about 5-8 cm for the water levels and 5-10 cm/s for the cross-sectional averaged velocities in the western inlets and main channels. Wind has a negligible effect on the modelled water levels and cross-sectional velocities, with differences smaller than 1 % between the simulations with and without wind. However, results show that wind influences significantly the transport by affecting the residual circulation, with distinct effects depending on the wind direction. Upwelling favourable winds (with west component) increase the landward transport through the Faro-Olhão inlet and promote a larger dispersion of the water-borne material inside the lagoon. The residual circulation between the three inlets of the western sector of the lagoon is also significantly affected by the bathymetry. Results show a decrease of about 50 % of the tidal prism of the Ancão inlet between 2002 and 2011, which reduces its capacity to export waterborne material to the adjacent coastal area and increases the residence times in some areas of the lagoon, with potentially adverse effects on the ecosystems' health. The dispersion of potential contaminants from point sources inside the lagoon to the coastal area depends on the combined effect of the tidal phase and amplitude and the location of the source. Mean residence times for the discharges from the wastewater treatment plants of the western sector ranged from 7 to 18 days. These findings improve the understanding of the influence of the physical forcings in the circulation and transport dynamics of multi-inlet coastal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ria Formosa Lagoon is the most important region for bivalves production in the South Portuguese coast. This study evaluates the microbiological contamination of molluscs Ruditapes decussatus originating from two bivalves production areas of Ria Formosa (a more populated area, Faro–Marchil, and a less populated area, Cacela–Vila Real de Santo António) that were analysed monthly during 1 year. The levels of Escherichia coli and Vibrio spp. were followed and related with temperature profiles. The highest levels of E. coli were found in bivalves collected from Marchil during periods of higher temperatures (summer), mainly due to the population increase during the summer in that area. Although the shellfish harvesting production area classification does not lead to a change in the current classification (Class B). In Cacela higher levels of E. coli were observed especially during the winter, probably due to diffuse sources of faecal discharges. For both areas, the highest levels of Vibrio spp. were found in February and March 2013, these months correspond to a higher level of bacterioplankton in Ria Formosa. Lower levels of Vibrios spp. were found in October 2013 in both bivalve production areas. The analysis of this information can be particularly useful in the development of sanitary surveys and evaluate the human health risks associated with bivalves consumption, thence improving the quality of marketed bivalves, result in adding value to the final product.

The clam Ruditapes decussatus was transplanted from a natural recruitment area of Ria Formosa to three sites, surveyed for nutrients in water and sediments. Specimens were sampled monthly for determination of Escherichia coli , condition index and gonadal index. Higher nutrient values in low tide reflect drainage, anthropogenic sources or sediment regeneration, emphasising the importance of water mixing in the entire lagoon driven by the tide. Despite the increase of effluent discharges in summer due to tourism, nutrient concentrations and E. coli in clams were lower in warmer periods. The bactericide effect of temperature and solar radiation was better defined in clams from the inlet channel site than from sites closer to urban effluents. High temperature in summer and torrential freshwater inputs to Ria Formosa may anticipate climate change scenarios for south Europe. Seasonal variation of nutrients and clam contamination may thus point to possible alterations in coastal lagoons and their ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]