Unveiling the Environmental Drivers of <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> Outbreaks: A Decadal Study Along the Mediterranean Coastline of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
<i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> blooms are a significant ecological event in the Mediterranean, with profound implications for marine ecosystems and coastal economies. This study aims to investigate the interannual and seasonal variability of <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> bloom patterns...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/4/642 |
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| Summary: | <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> blooms are a significant ecological event in the Mediterranean, with profound implications for marine ecosystems and coastal economies. This study aims to investigate the interannual and seasonal variability of <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> bloom patterns along the Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian Mediterranean coasts, focusing on the influence of environmental factors such as sea surface temperature, nutrient availability, and oceanographic conditions on bloom intensity and distribution. The analysis reveals significant seasonal and interannual fluctuations in bloom size across the three regions, with the most substantial blooms occurring from June to August during the warmer months. In 2014 and 2018, peak bloom sizes of up to 775 jellyfish per unit area were recorded in Morocco and Algeria, while Tunisia also experienced notable blooms, particularly in 2015 and 2017. However, from 2020 to 2023, a marked decline in bloom intensity was observed across all three regions, with bloom sizes dropping, particularly in Tunisia and Morocco. Correlation analysis of environmental variables showed weak to moderate relationships between bloom size and key factors. Sea surface temperature showed a positive correlation (r = 0.13), suggesting that warmer waters contribute to increased bloom intensity. Nitrate and current direction also exhibited weak positive correlations (r = 0.12 and r = 0.27), indicating that nutrient availability and ocean circulation patterns could enhance bloom formation. The correlations with carbon (r = 0.08) and phosphate (r = 0.04) further suggest that organic matter and nutrient availability play a minor role in supporting bloom growth. On the other hand, negative correlations with factors such as oxygen (r = −0.04), solar radiation (r = −0.04), and wave height (r = −0.05) suggest that these factors may slightly inhibit bloom intensity, possibly by influencing nutrient dynamics and dispersing jellyfish populations. Notably, pH level (r = −0.29) and current speed (r = −0.23) exhibited stronger negative correlations, indicating a more pronounced inhibitory effect. In conclusion, this research highlights the complex and multifactorial nature of <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> bloom dynamics, where temperature, nutrient availability, and oceanographic conditions interact to influence bloom size and distribution across the Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian coasts. While these environmental factors contribute to bloom variability, other ecological and anthropogenic factors likely play a significant role. Further research is necessary to better understand the synergistic effects of climate change, nutrient loading, and biological interactions on jellyfish bloom dynamics in the Mediterranean, with implications for effective management strategies. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-1312 |