Risk Assessment of a Coastal Ecosystem from SW Spain Exposed to CO2 Enrichment Conditions

The Weight-of-Evidence (WOE) approach uses multiple lines of evidence to analyze the adverse effects associated with CO2 enrichment in two stations from Gulf Cádiz (Spain) different contamination degrees. Sediment and metal (loid) mobility, toxicity, ecological integrity, bioaccumulation samples exposed acidification scenarios (pH gradient 8.0 6.0) were used WOE. experiments conducted under laboratory conditions using a CO2-bubbling system. Different integration approaches such as multivariate analyses evaluate results. results indicated that biological pH 6.5 related mobility dissolved elements (As, Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn). Furthermore, reduction was correlated increase As, Cr, Ni tissues mussels at 7.0. noncontaminated sediment showed environmental degradation values 7.0; whereas moderately contaminated both risks, caused by presence bioavailability contaminants. WOE supposes an effective tool identify distinguish causes marine environments.