Since 2013, there has been an increase (>23%) in naval traffic using maritime routes and ports on the coastal fringe of Santa Marta, Colombia. Of major concern, and described by several studies, is the relationship between maritime traffic and coastal contamination. This study proposed a maritime traffic indicator considering the simultaneous effects of several relevant measurements of water quality parameters to estimate the impact of naval activity. The approach involved developing a model including the number of vessels, hull length, and permanence time in berths. In addition, water quality variables, considering climatic seasons, were used to verify association with maritime traffic and touristic activities. The high concentrations of total coliforms (TC) and dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons in chrysene equivalents (DDPH) reported by the International Marina of Santa Marta (SM) were affected by the local anthropic activities, including tourism, naval traffic, and urban wastewater discharges. Moreover, our results suggest the occurrence of multiple chemical impacts within Tayrona National Natural Park (PNNT) affecting conservation goals. The estimation of the maritime traffic indicator proposed in this study may be an easy and more complete tool for future studies evaluating the impact of naval activities on environmental quality.

Los manglares son ecosistemas altamente productivos y esenciales para numerosas especies. Sin embargo, han sufrido importantes pérdidas debido a la ocupación de espacios con fines industriales, tales como la acuicultura y agricultura. El objetivo fue determinar si la variación en la forma de la concha de Anadara tuberculosa está relacionada con la concentración de Cd y Pb en el tejido blando. Se recolectaron ejemplares en tres localidades de manglar del Ecuador continental. La localidad Esmeraldas se utilizó como sitio control debido a su bajo índice de contaminación en contraste con los sitios Guayas y El Oro, dos provincias con antecedentes de contaminación por metales pesados. Utilizamos coordenadas cartesianas y métodos de morfometría geométrica para analizar la variación y variabilidad de la forma de la valva derecha de A. tuberculosa. El análisis de variables canónicas indicó diferencias significativas entre las tres localidades, con la máxima variación de la forma ubicada en la porción derecha de la concha. Las concentraciónes de Cd y Pb en tejido no superaron el límite máximo permitido, sin embargo, Guayas registró la mayor concentración de Cd, acercándose al límite. En términos de variabilidad Esmeraldas presentó el mayor valor de disparidad morfológica. Sin embargo, las comparaciones pareadas de los valores de disparidad del sitio control con respecto a las localidades con altos índices de Cd no fueron significativas. Esmeraldas mostró la forma más disímbola en términos de disparidad parcial. Estos resultados indican la posibilidad de que la concentración de metales pesados produce variación en la forma de la valva de A. tuberculosa que es útil para distinguir entre los sitios de estudio. Los resultados enfatizan la necesidad de vigilar los niveles de Cd en las poblaciones de A. tuberculosa en las provincias de Guayas y El Oro con el propósito de conservar el ecosistema de manglar.

The water quality of the San Camilo and Mojahuevo estuaries was monitored in the months of April (rainy season) and June (dry season) of 2016. The water of the Mojahuevo estury presented in both seasons the lowest values of turbidity between 17.20 and 33.70 UNT, biochemical oxygen demand being in a range between 14.00 and 19.00 mg/L, zinc content (0.02-0.05 mg/L) and copper content (0.07 mg/L), ammonia content (0.21-0.35 mg/L), fats and oils (0.23-0.29 mg/L), phosphates (0.39-2.34 mg/L) and nitrates (0.84-2.29 mg/L), while the water of the two estuaries San Camilo and Mojahuevo (rainy season) showed similar phenolic content (0.019 mg/L). The results showed that the Mojahuevo estuary presented the high quality of water recommended for being used in productive process like aquaculture due to the low presence of pollutants.

Coccotrypes rhizophorae (Coleoptera), an insect native to Indonesia, has been introduced to several American countries, including Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. C. rhizophorae is the principal pest of mangrove species in the genus Rhizophora. Here, we examine the damage caused by C. rhizophorae infestations in a mangrove forest at eleven locations along the Ecuadorian coast throughout one year. We collected 13 200 Rhizophora spp. propagules in total (1200 individuals per site per year). The total C. rhizophorae infestation rate was 45%. The total prevalence of Rhizophora spp. propagules infested by C. rhizophorae was significantly higher during the rainy season (55%) compared to the dry season. Bellavista Island, Corazón and Fragatas Island, and Guayaquil Historical Park showed higher damage prevalence compared to other sites. In all sites and in both seasons, the prevalent location of damage in affected propagules was in the basal area (59.81%). There was an inverse relationship between the population size inside the propagule (larvae and adults) and rainfall. The number of holes created by C. rhizophorae in Rhizophora spp. propagules was associated with the damage intensity. These results are critical for the management, conservation, and restoration of mangrove forests in Ecuador and other countries where C. rhizophorae is present.