Land–sea discharges can directly affect coastal water quality and associated ecosystems. To ensure sustainable management and comply with environmental regulations, it is essential to understand how the receiving environment and its biological communities respond to wastewater inputs. The challenge was to establish a rigorous, continuous, evidence-based monitoring system capable of assessing the real impact of discharges and the health status of the ecosystem.
AZTI designed and implemented a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme that includes:
Systematic sampling in the receiving environment, selected according to current dynamics, type of discharge, and ecological sensitivity.
Laboratory physico-chemical analyses, assessing parameters such as nutrients, metals, organic matter, suspended solids, and specific contaminants.
Biological assessments, studying benthic communities and other indicator organisms to evaluate ecological responses.
Advanced data integration and analysis, combining results to provide a holistic view of environmental status and trends.
This multidisciplinary approach makes it possible to detect alterations, determine their extent, and assess the ecosystem’s natural recovery capacity.
Accurate assessment of the impact of discharges on water and sediment quality.
Diagnosis of the health status of the receiving environment, integrating physico-chemical and biological indicators.
Key information to improve management and minimise environmental risks, supporting decision-making by public authorities and operators.
A monitoring system that strengthens the protection of coastal ecosystems and contributes to responsible and sustainable management of marine discharges.
Sectors: Maritime and port infrastructure, Offshore sector
Research lines: Blue Economy, Environmental management of seas and coasts
Research sublines: Impact and environmental vigilance in the marine environment