Transplantation of seagrass (Zostera noltei) as a potential nature-based solution for the restoration of historically contaminated mudflats

Vítor H Oliveira; B A Fonte; A I Sousa; D Crespo; J M Dias; N Vaz; D Matos; E Figueira; M E Pereira; A I Lillebø; M Dolbeth; J P Coelho

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178257

Transplantation of seagrass (Zostera noltei) as a potential nature-based solution for the restoration of historically contaminated mudflats

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jan 3:959:178257. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178257. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Vítor H Oliveira¹, B A Fonte², A I Sousa², D Crespo³, J M Dias⁴, N Vaz⁴, D Matos⁵, E Figueira⁵, M E Pereira⁶, A I Lillebø², M Dolbeth⁷, J P Coelho²

Affiliations

¹ ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Estrada do Porto de Pesca Costeira, 3830-565 Gafanha da Nazaré, Portugal. Electronic address: vitor.hugo.oliveira@ua.pt.
² ECOMARE, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Estrada do Porto de Pesca Costeira, 3830-565 Gafanha da Nazaré, Portugal.
³ CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício Do Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
⁴ CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Physics Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
⁵ CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
⁶ LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
⁷ CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício Do Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.

PMID: 39754951
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178257

Abstract

Within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) framework, a Nature-based Solution (NbS) using Zostera noltei transplants was tested to restore a historically contaminated intertidal area. In-situ transplantation relied on patches of seagrass and sediment from a Donor meadow and its evolution was monitored for two years. The evaluation of the transplant success encompassed the seagrass coverage area, seagrass biomass, tissue mercury (Hg) accumulation, and photosynthetic efficiency. The transplant was successful, with gradual increases in the coverage area in the target area indicating adaptation to local conditions already after the first year. Although some significant differences were observed in biomass and tissue Hg concentration over time, the similar translocation factors suggest the plant has effective defensive mechanisms to prevent accumulation and cellular damage. Additionally, the normal seasonal pattern of photosynthetic parameters indicates that contamination is not impeding its photosynthetic performance and growth, suggesting this NbS as a viable restoration strategy.

Keywords: Evolution; Metal(loid)s; NbS; Phytoremediation; Seagrass recovery.