Report No. 285 W.Epa.Ie
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EPA Research Report 285 Nutrient Dynamics and Ecophysiology of Opportunistic Macroalgal Blooms in Irish Report No. 285 Estuaries and Coastal Bays (Sea-MAT) Authors: Ricardo Bermejo, Svenja Heesch, Moya O’Donnell, Nessa Golden, Michéal MacMonagail, Maeve Edwards, Edna Curley, Owen Fenton, Eve Daly and Liam Morrison Nutrient Dynamics and Ecophysiology of Identifying pressures Opportunistic Macroalgal Blooms in Irish Estuaries Eutrophication is still a challenge for Europe and, in 2017, 100,000 km2 of coastal ecosystems remained affected. This equates to an area almost one and a half times the size of Ireland. In Ireland, 16% of transitional and coastal and Coastal Bays (Sea-MAT) waters are classified as potentially eutrophic. The Sea-MAT project monitored four estuarine locations affected by Authors: Ricardo Bermejo, Svenja Heesch, Moya O’Donnell, Nessa Golden, Michéal macroalgal blooms (green tides). Macroalgal coverage and biomass abundances were considerably higher than the threshold values according to the monitoring tool used for the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD, MacMonagail, Maeve Edwards, Edna Curley, Owen Fenton, Eve Daly and Liam Morrison 2000/60/EC). Green tides comprise laminar and tubular Ulva spp., with tubular morphologies more numerous and less susceptible to transportation out of the estuary. Tubular morphologies appear to be buried at the end of the bloom, favouring accumulation of organic matter and nutrients in sediments. These can be a potential source of nutrients for subsequent blooms, perpetuating the eutrophication problem. The arrival of the non-native species Gracilaria vermiculophylla is an additional pressure as this species is able to bloom in areas where native species cannot. Informing policy In Ireland, the ecological status of transitional waters is assessed via the European Union WFD, based on physicochemical and biological parameters, which stipulates that good status must be achieved in order to protect associated ecosystems. The findings of the Sea-MAT project have implications for WFD assessment and provide information on future blooms in the context of climate change, as proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for Irish coastal waters, forecasting earlier blooms with greater biomasses. These blooms are of great concern to the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which focuses on the protection and improvement of water quality, including estuarine and coastal waters, by engaging public bodies, stakeholders and local communities, and also to An Fóram Uisce, a statutory body established to represent all stakeholders interested in water quality. Developing solutions The Sea-MAT project has provided an understanding of the role of local environmental conditions in the development of macroalgal blooms in Ireland. Recommendations to reduce the impact of seaweed tides and control their development are proposed. Molecular tools successfully revealed the multispecific composition of Irish green tides and confirmed the presence of the alien species G. vermiculophylla along Irish coasts. The determination of the nitrogen content of the seaweeds forming blooms in Ireland revealed that nitrogen levels were above that needed to sustain the blooms and that other controlling factors limited growth throughout year. Remote sensing techniques are an effective and accurate method for monitoring the spatial extent of bloom events in Irish estuaries. EPA Research: McCumiskey House, Richiew, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14. www.epa.ie Phone: 01 268 0100 www.epa.ie Twitter:@EPAResearchNews EPA Research Webpages Email: [email protected] www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/research/ EPA-ReportCover-285-Jul19-v1.indd 2 04/07/2019 10:34 EPA-ReportCover-285-Jul19-v1.indd 1 04/07/2019 10:34 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). 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EPA RESEARCH PROGRAMME 2014–2020 Nutrient Dynamics and Ecophysiology of Opportunistic Macroalgal Blooms in Irish Estuaries and Coastal Bays (Sea-MAT) (2015-W-MS-20) EPA Research Report Prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency by National University of Ireland, Galway Authors: Ricardo Bermejo, Svenja Heesch, Moya O’Donnell, Nessa Golden, Michéal MacMonagail, Maeve Edwards, Edna Curley, Owen Fenton, Eve Daly and Liam Morrison ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland Telephone: +353 53 916 0600 Fax: +353 53 916 0699 Email: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie Acknowledgements Disclaimer © Environmental Protection Agency 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report is published as part