IMPACT ON SOCIO/ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN THE COASTAL ZONE
Impact of “INDUSTRIAL” on “VARIABLE”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Most impact of industrial activity relies to the input of chemical contaminants in the
surrounding environment.
According to International Agencies and/or Organisations (WHO, EPA, EC), the chemical
contaminants can be classified as follow
1 - METALS
They originate from
- Mining, metallurgy (all metals)
- Tanning (Cr)
- Batteries industry (Pb, Ni, Cd…)
2 – PETROLEUM and DERIVATES
- Petroleum extraction
- Transport
- Refining
- Burning of gasoline, fuel…
3 – PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES
They are synthetic compounds; In general, they are voluntarily introduced in the environment
-
Organochlorine
Organophosphoride
Herbicide…
4 – SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS (other than pesticides)
-
Halogenated compounds (synthesized from methane, ethane, ethylen…)
- Extracting solvents
- Grease remover
- Dry cleaning
- Propeling gas
- Dielectric agents (PCB…)
- ……
-
Industry of plastics = Vinyl chloride ….
Industry of paints = Benzen, phenol, naphtalen, aniline…
Industry of Freon = carbon tetrachloride…
Industry of organo-metallic compounds = anti-fouling paints (TBT…), antiexploding (tetraethyl lead…)
Furthermore, to this list of industries, we can add several industries such as
- The industry of radio-elements (power plan…)
- The industry of wood (deforestation…) leading to a huge input of mineral particles
in the water bodies, from the watersheds
- The food and /or paper industry leading to inputs of organic matter
COMMENTS ON THE TABLE
Industrial vs Algal toxins
No “level influence” has been given to this parametre. Perhaps we can consider that it
can be an impact of “metal” industry on it if we consider that some metal (such as Fe) may
have an influence on the growth and on the structuration of the phytoplanktonic population
(see Industrial vs phytoplankton abundance/diversity).
Level 3 could be given to this parametre
Industrial vs Artificial radionuclide
Artificial radionuclide constitutes a typical example of the reflection which can be done to
attribuate a “influence level” to the studied parameters thus,
1 – In Europe, except for accidental contamination (Tchernobil for exemple), the quantity of
artificial nuclide released in the environment is “  0”!
2 – Nevertheless, though the quantities released are very low, industry is the main producer of
artificial radio nuclides
3 – So far, there is (apparently) no reference concerning, in Europe, a problem related to the
impact of nuclides on aquaculture products!
If we try to determine the level of impact:
1 - The fact that Industry is the main producer? In that case, the level is 1.
2 – The fact that there are very, very low quantities released in the environment? The level
should be 3!
3 – The fact that, up to now, no problem occurred in aquaculture, fishing… regarding the
radionuclide… The level should be 3?
4 – The fact that accidental spill can lead to the release of huge quantities of nuclides, which
can be considered as potential huge problem for aquaculture, fisheries, tourism activities…?
The level should be 1.
“Level 1” is given and justified if we consider that industry is the main supplier of
radionuclides to the environment. If we consider that Artificial radionuclide does not
constitute an important problem either for the marine environment sensu largo or for
aquaculture more specifically, one can consider that “level 3” can be affected to this
parametre
Industrial vs Dissolved oxygen
In fact, the main problem concerning the relationship between industry and dissolved
oxygen comes from the industry releasing organic matter in the environment (food, wood,
paper industries). We can also consider that industries of metals may have a localised impact
on dissolved oxygen through the oxidation of non-oxidized salt to oxydized salt (Ferrous iron
 ferric iron, for exemple).
“Level 1” is given, because industry is not the main supplier of “oxygen consumer
(see “municipal wastes”, food industry…), the level should be 2 or 3.
Industrial vs herbicides/pesticides/biocides
These compounds are, in general of synthetic nature. They are voluntarily introduced
in the environment. Concerning aquaculture, the main problem is related, in some developing
countries, to the “cohabitation” of organism (shrimp, fish…) rearing, and the intensive use of
herbicides and pesticides in the watershed upstream the rearing ponds.
Level is 3. This seems justified, the main supplier to the environment being
agriculture and agro-forestry
Industrial vs litter/plastics
Industry is, like for pesticides and herbicides, the main producer… but industry is not
the main “supplier to the environment”. For litter and plastics, the dumping of litter and
plastics constitutes one of the main spectacular, because visible, aspect of the pollution of the
shore. The main supplier to the environment is related to the use of plastic bags, plastic bottles
at domestic level, not at industrial level… The main socio-economic impact concerns mainly
the tourism (see “Tourism vs litter/plastics”).
Level is 1, it could be 2 or 3.
Industrial vs Metal and organo-metals
Metal and organo-metals constitute the most studied category of contaminants in the warine
environment. These contaminants have been, so far, the most involved in the most important
problems related to human health and to economic impacts. We may refer to the Minamata
case for mercury, the TBT (Tributhyltin) which affected the growth of oysters and the spat
catching in the Bassin d’Arcachon, or the concentration of cadmium in oysters from Gironde
estuary, du to mining activities in the upper part of the watershed. In that last xase, the
problem does not concern the vital functions of the oysters (growth and reproduction), but the
fact that the concentrations observed in the organismes exceed the maximum concentrations
allowed by the European rules. Hence, oysters are unsuitable for commercialisation. It is to be
noted that, to our knowledge, only 3 metals (Cd, Pb, Hg), among the totality of contaminants
have been subject to a European regulation concerning the maximum allowable
concentrations in fisheries and aquaculture products.
Level is 1. It sounds correct
Industrial vs Nutrients
Nutrients such as NO2-3, NH3-4, Phosphate are mainly issued from agro-industry (see
“agroforestry vs nutrients”).
Level is 3. Correct!
Industrial vs PAHs and Industrial vs Petroleum hydrocarbon/oil.
The main sources of PAHs in the environment are the oil/gaz extraction/production (see
“PAHs vs oil/gaz extraction/production”). Because industries use gaz and oil as energy, we
may consider that they contribute, for a minor part, to the release of these compounds in the
surrounding environment.
Level is 2. Correct!
Industrial vs Phytoplankton abundance/diversity
Phytoplankton abundance/diversity are mainly under the dependence of nutrients
concentrations and equilibrium. Nevertheless, one may consider that industrial effluents can
play a role on such parameters. Thus it has been shown the influence of heavy metals, such as
Fe (concentrations and speciation) on the growth and on the structure of phytoplanktonic
populations
Level is 3. Correct!
Industrial vs pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals industry is the main producer of pharmaceuticals but it is not the main direct
“supplier” to the environment. No huge problems have been related concerning the impact of
pharmaceuticals on the environment. Antibiotics used in aquaculture (see “aquaculture vs
pharmaceuticals”) are not taken into account in this paragraph.
Level is 2. Correct!
Industrial vs Suspended Particulate matter
Industy is far to be one of the main supplier of particules. The main “suppliers” of SPM to
marine environment are the agroforestry (deforestation), the mining activities and the public
works (road construction….). Food Industries release particulate organic matter…
Level is 2. It could be 3!
Industrial vs Synthetic organics/POPs
Industry is the only producer of synthetics compounds (see the different categories above).
From that point of view, one may consider that industrial activities is the main “provider” of
synthetics compounds to the environnement.
Level is 1. Correct