Seasonal, spatial, and high-frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen and net ecosystem metabolism in a shallow coastal lagoon, Ria Formosa - Portugal.

Correia, Cátia; Jacob, José; Cravo, Alexandra

Publication

Seasonal, spatial, and high-frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen and net ecosystem metabolism in a shallow coastal lagoon, Ria Formosa - Portugal.

2026Journal article

dc.contributor.author	Correia, Cátia
dc.contributor.author	Jacob, José
dc.contributor.author	Cravo, Alexandra
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-30T17:22:28Z
dc.date.available	2025-12-30T17:22:28Z
dc.date.issued	2026
dc.description.abstract	This study provides a detailed assessment of dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, highlighting how spatial and temporal variability shape mesotidal ecosystems. Complementary approaches were applied: short-term (24 h) diel oxygen open-water method at two stations (eastern and western boundaries) in comparison with the bottle incubation method, and a 2.5-year high-frequency dataset at an inner station lagoon. DO showed clear seasonal patterns, largely driven by photosynthesis and respiration, but strongly modulated by water circulation and hydrodynamics. Sporadic hypoxic events (DO ≤ 2 mg L) were observed but do not represent a risk. The boundary stations are shallower and colonized by submerged vegetation, displayed stronger diel fluctuations than at the inner station, underscoring the role of biological processes in lagoon metabolism. NEM estimates revealed strong spatial contrasts: the western station was autotrophic, while the eastern station predominantly attributed to restricted water exchange. Long-term records from the inner station indicated a slightly heterotrophic status, reinforcing the value of sustained high-frequency monitoring for capturing ecosystem trends overlooked by short-term approaches. The results also highlight lagoon-coastal ocean connectivity, suggesting dual exchanges: local production may be exported offshore to sustain adjacent coastal areas, while coastal processes, such as upwelling, can also influence lagoon metabolism. Methodological comparisons confirmed that bottle incubation method underestimated NEM relative to diel oxygen open-water method, emphasizing the role of hydrodynamics in mesotidal system metabolism. Although sampling focused on western and eastern boundaries and inner lagoon, the strong tidal renewal in the main and secondary channels suggests Ria Formosa overall is close to metabolic balance, with spatial heterogeneity shaped by hydrodynamics, vegetation, and coastal forcing. By integrating short-term, high-frequency, and long-term observations, this study advances understanding of metabolism in coastal lagoons, offering key insights for predicting ecosystem responses to climate change and for guiding management of vulnerable coastal environments.	eng
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107761
dc.identifier.other	41349139
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/28026
dc.language.iso	eng
dc.peerreviewed	yes
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation	O papel da ria Formosa como biorreator: processos, tendências e fatores de mudança
dc.relation	Aquatic Research Infrastructure Network
dc.relation	Centre for Marine and Environmental Research
dc.rights.uri	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject	Coastal lagoons
dc.subject	Diel oxygen open-water technique
dc.subject	Dissolved oxygen
dc.subject	Light-dark bottles incubation technique
dc.subject	NEM
dc.subject	Ria formosa
dc.title	Seasonal, spatial, and high-frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen and net ecosystem metabolism in a shallow coastal lagoon, Ria Formosa - Portugal.	eng
dc.type	journal article
dspace.entity.type	Publication
oaire.awardTitle	O papel da ria Formosa como biorreator: processos, tendências e fatores de mudança
oaire.awardTitle	Aquatic Research Infrastructure Network
oaire.awardTitle	Centre for Marine and Environmental Research
oaire.awardURI	info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT//UI%2FBD%2F150771%2F2020/PT
oaire.awardURI	info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/LA%2FP%2F0069%2F2020/PT
oaire.awardURI	info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID%2FMAR%2F00350%2F2019/PT
oaire.citation.title	Marine Environmental Research
oaire.citation.volume	214
oaire.fundingStream	6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.fundingStream	6817 - DCRRNI ID
oaire.version	http://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyName	Correia
person.familyName	Jacob
person.familyName	Cravo
person.givenName	Cátia
person.givenName	José
person.givenName	Alexandra
person.identifier.ciencia-id	3017-A30B-6C8E
person.identifier.ciencia-id	7210-CCF6-4C5E
person.identifier.ciencia-id	7419-EE20-8039
person.identifier.orcid	0000-0002-2228-5292
person.identifier.orcid	0000-0001-9718-7470
person.identifier.orcid	0000-0002-2569-3929
person.identifier.scopus-author-id	36552467800
project.funder.identifier	http://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.identifier	http://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.identifier	http://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.name	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
project.funder.name	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
project.funder.name	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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