Some Consequences of Brine Pollution in the Bahía Fosforescente, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Brine pollution from a sea-salt works occasionally flows into Bahia Fosforescente causing stagnation, severe anoxia and accumulation of hydrogen sulfide (88 ml/liter) with conscquent toxic effects on local flora and fauna. The bottom brine (salinity

Carbonate chemistry seasonality in a tropical mangrove lagoon in La Parguera, Puerto Rico

“…Studies have observed elevated concentrations of sulfide at bottom waters (1.6–3.5 mmol L -1 ) [ 32 ] and in porewaters (0.024–3.2 mmol L -1 ) [ 37 ] throughout the year. High sulfate reduction rates in BB (34.06 mmol L -1 h -1 ) relative to an oceanic station located ca.…”

“…The BB station (17.972 o N, 67.014 o W) is within The Bioluminescent Bay ( Fig 2 ), 3.2 km east of La Parguera town ( Fig 1 ). The Bioluminescent Bay has a 0.19 km 2 surface area, an average depth of 3.5 m [ 31 ], and a maximum of 4.5 m [ 32 ]. A 25-meter-wide red mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle L.) fringe surrounds the bay and is a significant organic carbon source.…”

“…The BB water column’s net community production has been reported to range from -5.99 to -2.49 g C m -2 day -1 [ 34 , 35 ]. The bathymetry has an irregular shape with a narrow and shallow outlet to nearby shelf waters and a sill (1 m depth) at the entrance, limiting exchange with outer waters and shelters from wave energy [ 32 , 36 ]. Most of the bottom comprises muddy sediments (ca.…”

“…River plumes from the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers impinge in the region [29,30], with maximum influence from June through October [33,34] . The Bioluminescent Bay has a 0.19 km 2 surface area, an average depth of 3.5 m [31], and a maximum of 4.5 m [32]. A 25-meter-wide red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) fringe surrounds the bay and is a significant organic carbon source.…”

Impacts of seawater desalination on the giant Australian cuttlefish Sepia apama in the upper Spencer Gulf, South Australia

“…Species richness and density can also decline where extreme salinities are prominent (Bayly, 1972;Vega-Cendejas and Hernández de Santillana, 2004). Increases in the concentration of salts may result in the dehydration of cells, and the inability to hypoosmotically regulate leading to a decrease of turgor pressure and mortality, especially in larvae, eggs and juveniles (Cintron, 1970;Aladin, 1991;Einav et al, 2002;Young and Potter, 2002).…”