Eutrophication is widely recognised as one of the major menaces to coastal environments, particularly
enclosed bays and lagoons. Although there is a general understanding of the consequences of eutrophication
in these systems, there is a lack of sufficient knowledge concerning biotic feedbacks that influence
eutrophication patterns and the resistance capacity of coastal environments.
In this paper, the isotope ratios of main producers and consumers of a Mediterranean lagoon were
examined in order to elucidate the fate of anthropogenic inputs from the main watercourse flowing into
the lagoon.
The results of the study of stable isotope data in the Mar Menor lagoon reflected that the whole benthic
community plays an important role as a natural ‘filter’ that removes excess nutrients from the water
column and stores them in the sediments, thereby enhancing lagoon resistance to eutrophication.