Eutrophication assessment in China's coastal waters

Tese mest. , Gestão da Água e da Costa, 2009, Universidade do Algarve

The cause and effect related to coastal eutrophication have been well defined. However, the approaches to assess trophic status of coastal systems are still under development. Over the past two decades, some attempts have been conducted with the purpose of improving the assessment and management of coastal eutrophication. An example is the ASSETS screening model, which has been applied around the world. As the population grows and economy develops further in China, coastal zones are under more pressure. Issues related to coastal eutrophication are becoming more frequent and becoming a public concern, which creates a need to assess the trophic status of its coastal systems. Previous studies on the application of ASSETS in China’s coastal waters have shown its fitness for the purpose of trophic assessment and management definition. The present thesis attempts to review the China’s coastal waters and eutrophication status there, and investigate potential trophic assessment methods for the system. The case study of Jiaozhou Bay and the estimation of nutrient inputs from to this waterbody will be discussed after the review of the status quo of China’s coastal systems. The watershed of the Jiaozhou Bay and nutrient loads are mapped. The update application of the ASSETS model in Jiaozhou Bay found that the eutrophic status in the bay is moderate. In the conclusion and recommendation section, the extensive application of the ASSETS model was discussed, and the integrated approach of coastal zone and river basin management (ICARM) was proposed to the Dagu River-Jiaozhou Bay system.