Phytoremediation potential of mangrove forests in the Gulf Coast
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[1] Universidad de Valladolid
Universidad de Valladolid
Valladolid, España
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- Localización: XI young researchers meeting on conservation and sustainable use of forest systems / coord. por Elena Hidalgo Rodríguez, Francisco Javier Dorado Reyes, Ainhoa Iñiguez Soto, Diego A. Damián Carrión, Samuel Gato Martín, Guillermo Jové Alcalde, Raúl Arcadio Fernández González, 2017, ISBN 978-84-617-9574-1, pág. 47
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Mangrove forests are among the most threatened and most delicate tropical ecosystems in the world. Despite threats like development, overharvesting, climate change and other factors, mangrove ecosystems contribute to improved fisheries, protect from coastal erosion and are a significant source of raw materials for construction and other purposes. Unfortunately, these benefits have long been undervalued and the rate of mangrove loss continues to be very high,with an estimated 100,000 hectares globally per year. This brings us to the question – How can the value of mangrove forests be recognized and what can make them be placed in priority withinprotection policies and restoration goals? To date, there have been few studies that examine the phytoremediation potential of mangroves. In an area like the Gulf Coast, where a majority ofmangrove species thrive and where seven out of the ten largest oil spills in U.S. history have occurred, phytoremediation as well as other remediation techniques can be highly beneficial and serve as an inexpensive in-situ contaminant filtration system. The application of this technique or a combination of them can mean reducing biodiversity loss, food chain contamination and furtherhealth risks. In one of the literature reviews, a pilot-scale experiment using species Rhizophora Mangle L. is analyzed and it is hypothesized to degrade total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in mangrove sediment. Results show that remediation was enhanced with the largest growth of bacteria in its rhyzosphere. This implies that mangrove forests are highly valuable and must become a priority of conservation and restoration efforts through policy. Although, the case studies examined show positive results, there is room for further research in potential remediation by other mangrove species and with other contaminants.
