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1. Mar Pollut Bull. 2008 Jul;56(7):1377-9. Epub 2008 Jan 22. Using M-AMBI in assessing benthic quality within the Water Framework Directive: some remarks and recommendations. Borja A, Mader J, Muxika I, Rodríguez JG, Bald J. ...
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Abstract Marine renewable energy has considerable potential for enhancing the diversity of renewable sources, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. While the technological development of wave energy converters... more
Abstract Marine renewable energy has considerable potential for enhancing the diversity of renewable sources, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. While the technological development of wave energy converters is progressing rapidly, their environmental impacts are still largely unknown, which is a barrier that could hinder their deployment. This research contributes to the state-of-the-art by introducing a framework for quantifying and analysing the ecological risks of three technologies (oscillating water columns, oscillating wave surge converters, and wave turbines). Based on a literature review, expert consultation process, and the development of a web tool, the potential pressures and the ecosystem elements that might be affected during the life cycle of a generic wave farm (an array of wave energy converters) are investigated. The main pressures are found to be physical disturbance, physical loss, hydrological change, and noise. The ecosystem elements sustaining the largest number of pressures and, therefore, at higher ecological risk are fish and cephalopods species, and benthic and pelagic habitats. The ecological risk assessment framework is operationalized into a free-access web tool ( https://aztidata.es/wec-era/ ) for the interactive assessment and visualisation of the pressures and ecological risks. The tool is intended to be used by managers, decision makers, scientists or promoters during the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment of wave energy projects. The novel approach presented in this work is more sophisticated than previous risk assessment matrices, enabling to better capture the complexity of the interactions between a wave farm and the environment.
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Using a long-term (1995-2014) monitoring network, from 51 sampling stations in estuaries and coasts of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay), the objective of this investigation was to assess the responsiveness of 83 variables in water (18),... more
Using a long-term (1995-2014) monitoring network, from 51 sampling stations in estuaries and coasts of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay), the objective of this investigation was to assess the responsiveness of 83 variables in water (18), sediments (27), biota (26), phytoplankton (2), macroinvertebrates (5) and fishes (5) to different human pressures and management actions. We used a total of 3247 series of data to analyse trends of improvement and worsening in quality. In a high percentage of the cases, the management actions taken have resulted in positive effects in the environment, as shown by the trend analysis in this investigation. Overall, much more trends of improvement than of worsening have been observed; this is true for almost all the media and biological components studied, with the exception of phytoplankton; and it applies as well to almost all the stations and water bodies, with the exception of those corresponding to areas with water treatment pending of accomplishment. In estuaries with decreasing human pressures during the period, the percentage of series showing quality improvement was higher (approx. 30%) than those showing worsening of quality (12%). Moreover, in those water bodies showing an increase of pressure, variables which can be considered indicators of anthropogenic effects showed negative trends (quality worsening). On the other hand, some of the variables analysed were more affected by natural variability than by changes in pressures. That was the case of silicate, nitrate and suspended solids, which followed trends correlated to salinity, which, in turn, was related to the rainfall regime during the study period.
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The gooseneck barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) is a highly exploited species in Spain and Portugal due to the great commercial demand and the high prices in the market. Due to the inaccessibility of the Gaztelugatxe coastal area (Basque... more
The gooseneck barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) is a highly exploited species in Spain and Portugal due to the great commercial demand and the high prices in the market. Due to the inaccessibility of the Gaztelugatxe coastal area (Basque Country, Northern Spain), the gooseneck barnacle has maintained one of the greatest populations of the Basque coast in this area. Declared as a
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This contribution focuses upon the use of phytoplankton as an indicator of ecological quality in the coastal waters of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay, northern Spain). The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a common water... more
This contribution focuses upon the use of phytoplankton as an indicator of ecological quality in the coastal waters of the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay, northern Spain). The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a common water policy in the European Union. The ...
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Research Interests: Environmental Science, Water quality, Biology, MARINE POLLUTION, Environmental Monitoring, and 13 moreMedicine, Multidisciplinary, Europe, Animals, Water Framework Directive, Sediment, Quality Standard, Water Quality, Biota, Emerging Pollutants In Water, Reference Values, Geologic Sediments, and Tissue distribution
Research Interests: Oceanography, Marine Ecology, Crustacea, Biology, Multidisciplinary, and 15 moreEcological Modelling, Models, Habitat Suitability, Habitat, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Legislation, Case Study, Fishery Management, Environmental Variables, Continental shelf, Environmental Conditions, Indexation, Geographic Information System, GIS, and Bay
Research Interests: Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Biology, Integrated assessment, MARINE POLLUTION, and 15 moreEcology, Environmental Monitoring, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Environmental Resource Management, Legislation, Atlantic Ocean, Animals, Basque country, Decision Tree, Benthos, Ecosystem, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Conservation of Natural Resources, and Coastal Area
Research Interests: Biology, Ecology, European Union, Environmental Monitoring, Rivers, and 15 moreEnvironmental Pollution, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Quality Control, Europe, Case Study, Cluster Analysis, Basque country, Quality assessment, Implementation, Ecosystem, Fresh water, Coastal waters, Reference Values, and Directive
The European Water Framework Directive provides a challenge in the development of new and accurate methodologies. It addresses assessment of Ecological Quality Status within European rivers, lakes, groundwaters, estuaries and coasts.... more
The European Water Framework Directive provides a challenge in the development of new and accurate methodologies. It addresses assessment of Ecological Quality Status within European rivers, lakes, groundwaters, estuaries and coasts. Although this directive is simple and flexible in its concept, it is necessary to develop an approach based upon scientific knowledge; however, at the same time it should be as simple as possible, in order to achieve both requirements and comparability of results throughout European waters. This contribution presents the first methodological approach to the problem, as used for estuaries and coasts of the Basque Country (northern Spain), in: selecting typologies and reference conditions; determining biological quality and ecological status; and identifying some problems in implementing the WFD. As such, the present paper could serve as the basis for a discussion document for other regions and countries, throughout Europe.
Research Interests: Ecology, European Union, Environmental Monitoring, International Cooperation, Environmental Planning, and 15 moreEnvironmental Pollution, Multidisciplinary, Quality Control, Spain, Environmental Resource Management, Europe, Basque country, Water Framework Directive, Quality assessment, Ecosystem, Scientific Knowledge, Comparability, Reference Values, Directive, and Guideline Adherence
Research Interests: Marine Biology, Geography, Decision Making, Invertebrates, Biology, and 15 moreEnvironmental Monitoring, Biodiversity, Factor analysis, Environmental Resource Management, Discriminant Analysis, Case Study, Animals, Classification, Basque country, Diversity Combining, Historical Data, Judgement, Coastal waters, Directive, and Benthic Communities
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... C. Dang (&) Á X. de Montaudouin Á F. Jude Á N. Raymond Á L. Lanceleur Á I. Paul-Pont Université Bordeaux 1, CNRS, EPOC, UMR ... The whole bay hosts impressive marine bird popula-tions (Campredon, 1976) and... more
... C. Dang (&) Á X. de Montaudouin Á F. Jude Á N. Raymond Á L. Lanceleur Á I. Paul-Pont Université Bordeaux 1, CNRS, EPOC, UMR ... The whole bay hosts impressive marine bird popula-tions (Campredon, 1976) and the surrounding waters are inhabited by many fish species. ...
Research Interests: Earth Sciences, Biology, Ecology, Biological Sciences, Parasitism, and 12 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Trematoda, Laboratory experiment, Mollusca, Digeneans, Species Richness, Experimental Infection, Introduced species, Shellfish, Non-Indigenous Freshwater Fish Species, Helminths, and Enemy release hypothesis
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This report provides advice for whether or not (and to what extent in terms of data volume) pre-consent surveys are required during the creation of offshore renewable energy projects. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed... more
This report provides advice for whether or not (and to what extent in terms of data volume) pre-consent surveys are required during the creation of offshore renewable energy projects. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.
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The European Atlantic Ocean offers a high potential for marine renewable energy (MRE), which is targeted to be at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption by 2030. The European Commission is supporting the development of the ocean... more
The European Atlantic Ocean offers a high potential for marine renewable energy (MRE), which is targeted to be at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption by 2030. The European Commission is supporting the development of the ocean energy sector through an array of activities and policies: the Green Deal, the Energy Union, the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) and the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. The nascent status of the MRE sector and Wave Energy (WE) in particular, yields many unknowns about its potential environmental pressures and impacts. Wave Energy Converters’ (WECs) operation in the marine environment is still perceived by regulators and stakeholders as a risky activity. The complexity of MRE licensing processes is also indicated as one of the main barriers to the development of the sector. The lack of clarity of procedures, the varied number of authorities to be consulted and the early stage of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) implementation are examples o...
This report contributes further to the Survey, Deploy and Monitor policy guidance, acting as a guide for users wishing to apply a risk-based approach at a Member State level. To this end, it undertakes a review and further development of... more
This report contributes further to the Survey, Deploy and Monitor policy guidance, acting as a guide for users wishing to apply a risk-based approach at a Member State level. To this end, it undertakes a review and further development of the three main pillars on which such an approach is based: environmental sensitivity of the site, the risk profile of the technology and the scale of the proposed project. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.
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Leitao, J.C., Cardoso, S., Moitinho, L., Santos, E., Bald, J., Galparsoro, I., Menchaca, I., De Santiago, I., Uriarte, A., Uyarra, M.C., Pouso, S., Muxika, I., Cruz, E., Apolonia, M., Vinagre, P., Chainho, P., Machado, I., Torre-Enciso, Y., Marina, D., Etxaniz, P., De Miguel, B., Felis, I., Madri...more
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This presentation outlines the findings of the third work package of the RiCORE project, focusing on the comparison of novel technologies and the development of risk profiling.
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This report compiles and inventory of technology types (within the tidal, wave and offshore wind categories) that the RiCORE project considers when providing recommendations and guidelines in favour of implementing a risk-based consenting... more
This report compiles and inventory of technology types (within the tidal, wave and offshore wind categories) that the RiCORE project considers when providing recommendations and guidelines in favour of implementing a risk-based consenting approach for offshore renewable energy projects.
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This report identifies commonalities and transferability of pre-consent surveying among renewable energy technology types. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in... more
This report identifies commonalities and transferability of pre-consent surveying among renewable energy technology types. This comes as part of the RiCORE project, which aimed to promote the use of offshore renewable energy projects in the EU by streamlining consenting processes.
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This presentation discusses the current consenting processes for offshore renewable energy projects in Spain. It was given as part of the second RiCORE project workshop, which explored the regulatory aspects associated with marine... more
This presentation discusses the current consenting processes for offshore renewable energy projects in Spain. It was given as part of the second RiCORE project workshop, which explored the regulatory aspects associated with marine renewable energy projects in Member States of the EU.