Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave., Tehran 1439951113, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave., Tehran 1439951113, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Jan 1;906:167614. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167614. Epub 2023 Oct 6.
Hanauma Bay's coral reef system is threatened by sunscreen pollution. Understanding the hydrodynamic nature of the bay is crucial for understanding the transport and fate of pollutants within the bay. This study conducted a comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis, revealing significant aspects of current patterns and their influence on sunscreen pollutant behavior. The analysis demonstrated the formation of flows that drive currents parallel to the shoreline, resulting in increased pollutant retention time over sensitive reef areas. Direct flushing currents were identified as playing a role in reducing pollution buildup. Particle dynamics analysis highlighted the importance of considering temporal dynamics and their implications for pollutant pathways, particularly through the swash zone during high tide phases. The study identified primary current patterns near the reef area and emphasized the circular behavior within the water body, affecting corals' susceptibility to bleaching in the southwestern part of Hanauma bay. To understand where oxybenzone concentrations were a threat to wildlife, we created a geographic model that integrated ecological risk assessment with hydrodynamic behavior in a given system, which we designate the Risk Quotient Plume - the geographic area where the concentration is above the threat level for a chemical. The study found high oxybenzone concentrations throughout the bay, threatening coral, fish, and algae populations. Oxybenzone's distribution indicated a serious threat to the entire back reef habitat and a hinderance to coral restoration efforts. The study also emphasizes the need to consider the hydrodynamic behavior of pollutants and their interaction with microplastics in the bay. Overall, the findings provide insights into hydrodynamics and pollutant dispersion in Hanauma Bay, supporting effective pollution management and conservation strategies.
恐龙湾的珊瑚礁系统受到防晒霜污染的威胁。了解海湾的水动力特性对于了解污染物在海湾内的传输和归宿至关重要。本研究进行了全面的水动力分析，揭示了海流模式的重要方面及其对防晒霜污染物行为的影响。分析表明，形成了与海岸线平行的流动，导致污染物在敏感的珊瑚区域停留时间增加。确定了直接冲洗海流在减少污染积累方面发挥了作用。颗粒动力学分析强调了考虑时间动态及其对污染物路径的影响的重要性，特别是在高潮期间通过破浪区。研究确定了珊瑚区域附近的主要海流模式，并强调了水体内部的循环行为，这会影响到恐龙湾西南部珊瑚的白化敏感性。为了了解羟苯甲酮浓度对野生动物构成威胁的地方，我们创建了一个地理模型，该模型将生态风险评估与特定系统中的水动力行为相结合，我们将其指定为风险商数羽流——浓度超过化学物质威胁水平的地理区域。研究发现整个海湾的羟苯甲酮浓度很高，对珊瑚、鱼类和藻类种群构成威胁。羟苯甲酮的分布表明，整个后礁生境受到严重威胁，并且阻碍了珊瑚的恢复工作。该研究还强调需要考虑污染物的水动力行为及其与海湾中微塑料的相互作用。总的来说，这些发现为恐龙湾的水动力和污染物扩散提供了深入了解，支持有效的污染管理和保护策略。
