Changes in biomass and botanical composition of beach-cast seaweeds in a disturbed coastal area from Argentine Patagonia

Abstract

Trends in wrack composition and biomass, and its relationship with the anthropogenic impact were studied along a coastal area in Nuevo Gulf (south Patagonia) in front of Puerto Madryn city. Beach-cast macroalgae composition was sampled from 1992 to 1999 in the Puerto Madryn beaches and in several other nearby beaches in 1993, 1996 and 1998. Historical information was based on local knowledge and observations reported by marine biologists who worked in the area. The botanical composition of the beach-cast macroalgae in Puerto Madryn indicates a succession in the dominance from Codium spp. to Ulva spp. during 1990s and from Ulva to Undaria pinnatifida since 1998, accompanied by a significant decrease in biomass of Gracilaria gracilis and Macrocystis pyrifera. The increase of the opportunist species such as Ulva may be supported by the continuous delivery of waste waters into the Nuevo Gulf while the dominance of U. pinnatifida may be associated with port activities. During the sampling period the highest wrack biomass values were recorded in spring and summer. The beach-cast seaweed biomass harvested by the municipality of Puerto Madryn during beach cleaning operation, ranged between 2500 and 12000 t year -1 (200 and 960 t dry weight). Wrack harvesting produces an environmental impact by removing sand from the beach and affecting coastal communities. Composting of wrack is proposed as one of the environmental alternatives to land disposal.