Index for Assessing Water Trophic Status in Semi-Enclosed Cuban Bays. Case Study: Cienfuegos Bay

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new trophic status index tailored for semi-enclosed bays like Cienfuegos in Cuba, aiding environmental management by assessing water quality and eutrophication vulnerability.

Contribution

It develops a novel trophic status index (TSIW) and pressure indicators specific to semi-enclosed bays, enhancing water quality assessment tools.

Findings

TSIW effectively reflects eutrophication status

Pressure indicators correlate with water quality

Provides a baseline for future environmental studies

Abstract

This paper aims at contributing to the coastal environmental management by developing a new trophic status index of the water (TSIW). The index is tailored to semi-enclosed bays with estuarine characteristic like the Cienfuegos bay in Cuba. We also propose pressure indicators related to exporting and assimilation capacities as a tool to assess the vulnerability of the system to eutrophication. The TSIW is based on response indicators to eutrophication processes showing correspondence with the predefined pressure indicators and previous reports on water quality. Thus, the proposed trophic status index is a reliable scientific tool to measure the current stage of the water quality and to establish a baseline for further studies.