Thinking the ecological solidarity through trace metal and metalloid pollution transfer from terrestrial area to marine ecosystems in a protected territory: case study of the Calanques National Park

Abstract

The south coastal area of Marseille (France), included in the Calanques National Park since 2012, is characterized by a rare and remarkable biodiversity, although the terrestrial and marine ecosystems have been impacted by past industrial activities (1). Indeed, 8 industrial sites and 12 factories were in activity in the Calanques until the beginning of the 20th century. The subsequent contamination of the territory is not limited to brownfields and slag deposits, but covers a wide range of the area in the form of a diffuse pollution of soils and living organisms (2), and has impacted the entire coastal area by a significant contamination input in marine sediments. Nowadays metallic pollution is still transferring to the sea from contaminated soils and slag deposit materials due to unreclaimed brownfields and diffuse soil pollution in their vicinity. The terrestrial areas thus represent a challenge not only for the stabilization of soil pollution but also in terms of prevention of transfers to the marine environment. In this context, we propose to consider the concept of 'land-sea ecological solidarity' with the aim of improving the environmental quality of these two compartments by limiting pollutant transfer, and preserving or better, restoring their biodiversity.

References: (1) Daumalin, X., Laffont- Schwob, I. 2016. Pollution of Marseille's Industrial Calanques, REF2C, France. (2) Heckenroth, A., Rabier, J., Dutoit, T., Torre, F., Prudent, P., Laffont-Schwob, I. 2016. Selection of native plants with phytoremediation potential for highly contaminated Mediterranean soil restoration: tools for a non-destructive and integrative approach, J. Environ. Manage. 183 (3), 850-863.