International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 285-294 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 285 Review and Progress Open Access Eutrophication Mechanisms and Their Impacts on Coastal Marine Ecosystems Wenfang Wang Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: wenfang.wang@jicat.org International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0032 Received: 29 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 10 Aug., 2024 Published: 28 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproductio4n in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang W.F., 2024, Eutrophication mechanisms and their impacts on coastal marine ecosystems, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(4): 285-294 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0032) Abstract Eutrophication is a process driven by the excessive input of nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, which severely threatens the health of coastal marine ecosystems. With the increase in human activities, eutrophication has become increasingly severe, leading to the depletion of dissolved oxygen and the formation of hypoxic and anoxic zones. These changes have profound impacts on primary producers, species composition, biodiversity, and food web structure. This study systematically reviews the mechanisms of eutrophication and its physical, chemical, and ecological impacts on coastal marine ecosystems, exploring its long-term consequences and discussing mitigation and management strategies. Additionally, by analyzing case studies of coastal eutrophication in both developed and developing countries, this study summarizes effective management experiences and best practices. The significance of this research lies in providing a scientific basis for the development of more effective policies and management strategies, promoting the sustainable development of global coastal ecosystems. Keywords Eutrophication; Coastal marine ecosystems; Hypoxic zones; Biodiversity; Management strategies 1 Introduction Eutrophication is a process driven by the excessive accumulation of nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in water bodies, leading to a range of ecological issues. This phenomenon is primarily caused by anthropogenic factors such as agriculture, urbanization, and industrial activities, which increase nutrient runoff into aquatic systems (Wilkinson et al., 2017; Wurtsbaugh et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2021). As a result, the nutrient overload stimulates the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants, disrupting the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems. Eutrophication not only leads to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia but also causes a decline in water quality, significantly impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services (Ferrera et al., 2016; Glibert et al., 2017; Malone and Newton, 2020). Coastal ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to eutrophication due to their proximity to human activities and the cumulative impact of nutrient inputs from upstream sources. The effects of eutrophication in these areas are profound, including the formation of hypoxic "dead zones," loss of biodiversity, and an increase in harmful algal blooms, which threaten marine life and human health (Wilkinson et al., 2017; Wurtsbaugh et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2021). Understanding the mechanisms of eutrophication in coastal ecosystems is crucial for developing effective management strategies to mitigate these impacts. However, the complexity of nutrient dynamics, influenced by various factors such as nutrient ratios and forms, adds to the challenge of managing eutrophication (Yan et al., 2016; Glibert et al., 2017). This study synthesizes current research on the mechanisms of eutrophication and its impacts on coastal marine ecosystems, exploring the sources and trends of nutrient inputs contributing to coastal eutrophication and analyzing the effects of nutrient enrichment on ecosystems, including changes in biodiversity and the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of different management strategies in controlling nutrient inputs and mitigating eutrophication and identifies knowledge gaps and areas for further research, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the health and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
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