Sponge contribution to the silicon cycle of a diatom-rich shallow bay

In coastal systems, planktonic and benthic silicifiers compete for the pool of dissolved silicon, a nutrient required to make their skeletons. The contribution of planktonic diatoms to the cycling of silicon in coastal systems is often well characterized, while that of benthic silicifiers such as sponges has rarely been quantified. Herein, silicon fluxes and stocks are quantified for the sponge fauna in the benthic communities of the Bay of Brest (France). A total of 45 siliceous sponge species living in the Bay account for a silicon standing stock of 1215 tons, while that of diatoms is only 27 tons. The silicon reservoir accumulated as sponge skeletons in the superficial sediments of the Bay rises to 1775 tons, while that of diatom skeletons is only 248 tons. These comparatively large stocks of sponge silicon were estimated to cycle two orders of magnitude slower than the diatom stocks. Sponge silicon stocks need years to decades to be renewed, while diatom turnover lasts only days. Although the sponge monitoring over the last 6 years indicates no major changes of the sponge stocks, our results do not allow to conclude if the silicon sponge budget of the Bay is at steady state, and potential scenarios are discussed. The findings buttress the idea that sponges and diatoms play contrasting roles in the marine silicon cycle. The budgets of these silicon major users need to be integrated and their connections revealed, if we aim to reach a full understanding of the silicon cycling in coastal ecosystems.

Ecological risk by potentially toxic elements in surface sediments of the Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)

The evaluation of potential ecological risk of aquatic sediments associated with the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTE) determines its degree of danger on native biota. In this work, the potential ecological risk of V, Ti, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Hg and Pb in superficial sediments is explained in three different areas of Lake Maracaibo: El Tablazo Bay, Strait of Maracaibo and the lake itself, through a multi-guideline approach (elemental enrichment (enrichment factor, contamination degree, pollutant load index and geo-accumulation index), sediment quality guidelines and risk assessment code). The PTE levels ranged from < 0.025 to 176.722 mg·kg−1 DW, with an overall proportion of V > Ti > Pb > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Cd > Se > Hg > Sn. The PTE concurrent effect on biota was El Tablazo Bay > lake > Strait of Maracaibo. The superficial sediments of Lake Maracaibo constitute a medium with a high potential ecological risk on estuarine biota. This is mainly due to the levels of As in El Tablazo Bay, Cd in the Strait of Maracaibo and Pb in the lake area. This represents a latent toxicity hazard for native biological communities and other associated organisms.

Contribution to the Study of Phosphorus Adsorption Kinetics on the Superficial Sediments of a Recently Development Artificial Estuary: Vridi Channel (Côte d'Ivoire)

The aim of this study is to characterize phosphates adsorption kinetics on the superficial sediments of Vridi channel from its new hydromorphology. So, three scenarios have been carried out taking account the different waters seasons of this estuary by using pH and temperature as relevant parameters. In the first scenario, the experiments carried out at pH = 8 and T = 20°C to simulate phosphates adsorption on these sediments in its great cold season. In the second, the experiments carried out at pH = 8 and T = 25° C to simulate phosphates adsorption on these substrates in its hot season and small cold season. In the third, the experiments carried out at pH = 7 and T = 30°C to simulate phosphates adsorption on these sediments in its flood season. The experiences were carried out according to US EPA/530/SW-87/006-F protocol. KH2PO4 solutions were used as phosphates synthetic solutions. The experimental data were modeling by Lagergeen kinetics model (pseudo-order 1), Blanchard kinetics model (pseudo-order 2), Elovich kinetics model, Weber and Morris kinetics model and, external diffusion kinetics model. The results have showed phosphates adsorption on these sediments increase in the experiments carried out at pH = 8 and T = 20°C to those carried out at pH = 7 and T = 30°C. All experimental data have been well modeling by Blanchard kinetics model. So, these phosphates adsorption kinetics are pseudo-order 2 and the chemisorption is the dominant mechanism. The results obtained by the experimental data modeling by Weber and Morris kinetics model and external diffusion kinetics model showed that this process is not limiting by the molecular diffusion process. The experimental data have been again well modeling by Elovich kinetics model. That has confirmed the chemisorption character of this adsorption, and showed this chemisorption is activated.

Impact of the Climate Change and the Recent Development of an Artificial Tropical Estuary on the Mobility and Distribution of Phosphorus: Case of Vridi Channel (Côte d'Ivoire)

This study focused on the effects of the climate change and the recent modification of Vridi channel on the mobility and distribution of phosphorus (P) in its superficial sediments. To best estimate this fact, the annual mobility and distribution of P were followed and compared before and after this development during two different annual periods, marked differently by the climate change effects. The first annual period has covered the period from April 2014 to March 2015 and this channel presented its former hydromorphology, with hydroclimatic conditions very close to that normal of Abidjan district. The second period annual has covered the period from October 2018 to September 2019 and this channel presented its current hydromorphology and, characterized by a rainfall drop and high ambient air temperatures compared to that normal of Abidjan district. A monthly sampling has been done at 5 cm below the surface sediment in this channel during each annual period. The mobility and distribution of P was assessed in the superficial sediments of this channel according two sequential extraction protocols: the modified Van Eck method and the modified Olsen method. Total phosphorus was assessed according AFNOR NF X31-147. The total phosphorus contents and all P fractions contents of these superficial sediments assessed by these two sequential methods and obtained over the period from April 2014 to March 2015 are higher than those determined over the period from October 2018 to September 2019. Thus, the recent development of this estuary, with as a corollary the modification of the physical and chemical characteristics of its superficial sediments, would have had the effect of clearing P towards the Atlantic Ocean and/or accelerating its sedimentation; hence the reduction of eutrophication risk of this aquatic ecosystem.

Assessment of the Coastal Marchica Watershed through Ecotoxicological Indices of Trace Elements in Superficial Sediments

This study analyses the seasonal distribution in the superficial sediments of the Marchica watershed of trace and major elements, grain size, and total organic carbon. Samples were taken during the wet and dry seasons of 2018 in the mainstream valleys carrying the discharges to the Marchica Lagoon. Ecotoxicological indices (Enrichment Factor, Contamination Factor, Pollution-Load Index) and sedimen-quality guidelines were used to evaluate the ecotoxicological risk. The results revealed during both wet and dry seasons contamination by lead in all stream valleys. The northwest stream valley, characterized by some industrial activities, and the stream valley crossing the abandoned mine were the most polluted by zinc and copper. Minimal pollution for Cr, Co, and Ba was found during both the wet and dry seasons. Despite the restoration actions achieved around the Ramsar site of Marchica lagoon during the last decades, the watershed continues to have a negative impact on this ecosystem. Therefore, an environmental management strategy isnecessary, taking into account the rehabilitation of the abandoned mining sites, the rational use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, and the environmental responsibility of industrial companies, especially those installed before the implementation of the national law on environmental impact studies.