土壤多环芳烃污染根际修复研究进展

多环芳烃(polycyclicaromatichydrocarbons,PAHs)是环境中普遍存在的具有代表性的一类重要持久性有机污染物,具“三致性”、难降解性,在土壤环境中不断积累,严重危害着土壤的生产和生态功能、农产品质量和人类健康。修复土壤多环芳烃污染已成为研究的焦点。根际修复是利用植物-微生物和根际环境降解有机污染物的复合生物修复技术,是目前最具潜力的土壤生物修复技术之一。对国内外学者近年来在土壤多环芳烃污染根际修复的效果、根际修复机理和根际修复的影响因素方面的研究进展作了较系统的综述,并分别分析了单作体系、混作体系、多进程根际修复系统和接种植物生长促进菌根际修复系统对土壤多环芳烃的修复效果。指出根际环境对PAHs的修复主要有3种机制:根系直接吸收和代谢PAHs;植物根系释放酶和分泌物去除PAHs,增加根际微生物数量,提高其活性,强化微生物群体降解PAHs。并讨论了影响根际修复PAHs的环境因素如植物、土壤类型、PAHs理化性质、菌根真菌以及表面活性剂等。植物-表面活性剂结合的根际修复技术、PAHs胁迫下根际的动态调节过程、运用分子生物学技术并结合植物根分泌物的特异性筛选高效修复植物以及植物富集的PAHs代谢产物进行跟踪与风险评价将成为未来研究的主流。     

土壤原位修复技术研究与应用进展

土壤原位修复技术是指不经挖掘,直接在污染场地就地修复污染土壤的土壤修复技术,具有投资低,对周边环境影响小的特点,是土壤修复的研究热点。土壤原位修复技术主要有淋洗,气相抽提（SVE）,多相抽提（MPVE）,气相喷射（IAS）,生物降解,原位化学氧化（ISCO）,原位化学还原,污染物固定,植物修复等。淋洗法主要用于治理高渗透性土壤中的重金属和难挥发降解的有机物。土壤气相抽提和喷射技术适用于处理土壤中的易挥发污染物,并有常与加热技术,生物处理技术等联用,可以起到促进污染物挥发,增氧促分解的作用。多相抽提法主要用于治理存在大量非水相流体的污染场地,可将土壤中有机相污染物直接抽出。生物降解有生物好氧降解、生物厌氧降解、生物还原降解多种,降解方式由污染物种类和地质条件决定。化学方法可将污染物氧化或还原为低毒无毒物质,周期一般较短。固定污染物可以直接加入药剂反应生成沉淀,也可制造合适条件使微生物生成可沉淀重金属的离子。植物修复主要用于富集重金属,成本低廉,但富集了重金属的植物体的有效利用尚待进一步研究。土壤原位修复需要因地制宜,灵活结合工期、污染情况、地质条件、地面设施等,得出最经济实用的修复方法,并在辅助提高技术上展开更多研究,使原位修复技术更经济有效。     

张士灌区多环芳烃污染土壤的植物修复

以我国典型污灌区-沈阳张士污灌区某农田土壤为研究对象,进行了土壤中多环芳烃(PAHs)污染物种类与含量的调查研究,分析了PAHs的主要来源.同时,以13种牧草/草坪草为供试植物,开展PAHs污染土壤高效修复植物的筛选工作,修复周期约为80d.研究结果表明,张士灌区农田土壤受到严重污染,从土壤中分析检测到USEPA 16种PAHs中的13种,含量达2 294 μh·kg-1(干重),远高于荷兰农业土壤的PAHs标准.盆栽试验结果表明,不同植物对土壤中PAHs的去除效果不同,紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)、黑麦草(Lolium perenne L)、巴林(Poa pratenstis L.)、高羊茅(Festuca data.Kengex E.Alexeev)和白三叶草(Trrifolium repens L.)等植物对土壤中PAHs去除效果较好,适合用于张士灌区农田土壤的修复与治理.     

湛江红树林湿地沉积物中多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的污染特征与生态风险评价

近年来,红树林有机污染物(POPs)污染逐渐加重,其生态环境保护压力日趋加大。湛江红树林保护区是中国面积最大的红树林自然保护区,对生态系统稳定具有重要作用,准确评估湛江红树林湿地多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的污染现状及潜在生态风险,对了解湛江红树林有机污染物的污染状况、红树林的生态环境保护等具有重要意义。采用索氏抽提法和气相色谱-质谱法测定了湛江红树林湿地12个采样位点沉积物中的PBDEs质量分数,分析了多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的污染水平、空间分布特征及其潜在风险。结果表明,湛江红树林表层沉积物中共检测到14种PBDEs,BDE-209质量分数占比最高,为53.58%—77.66%。12个采样点的∑PBDEs质量分数均值为23.30 ng·g^?1。按地理位置划分为6个研究区域,各研究区域的∑PBDEs质量分数均值变化为:湛江市区(33.06 ng·g^?1)>廉江西(29.68 ng·g^?1)>徐闻(19.29 ng·g^?1)>雷州东(16.47 ng·g^?1)>遂溪(15.72 ng·g^?1)>雷州西(11.92 ng·g^?1);BDE-209、∑13PBDEs(除BDE-209外)质量分数的分布规律与∑PBDEs质量分数的变化趋势一致。与国内外其他红树林湿地沉积物相比,湛江红树林沉积物中∑PBDEs质量分数处于中等水平。湛江红树林沉积物中的PBDEs污染主要源自商业五溴、八溴及十溴联苯醚产品的使用,高溴联苯醚的降解也是其来源之一。环境中的降雨量、TOC、pH值等对沉积物中PBDEs的影响不大。风险熵数法的生态风险评价结果表明,湛江红树林沉积物中PBDEs的综合生态风险水平较高,尤其是penta-BDEs和deca-BDEs处于高风险水平,应引起关注。     

室内灰尘中多环芳烃及其衍生物的赋存与人体暴露研究进展

多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)作为典型的持久性有机污染物(persistent organic pollutants,POPs)中的重要类别,具有半挥发性、生物蓄积性、长期残留性和明显的毒性(包括致癌、致畸、致突变)等特点,因此是环境中的一类重要污染物.PAHs衍生物的赋存浓度通常比PAHs母体低,是直接作用的诱变剂和致癌剂,具有比PAHs母体更高的致癌性和致畸性,毒性作用也更为直接,近年来PAHs衍生物引起了越来越多的关注.室内灰尘作为污染物的特殊载体,研究其中的PAHs及其衍生物的赋存、来源、人体暴露风险有重要意义.本文基于当前国内外对室内灰尘中PAHs及其衍生物的研究,对室内灰尘中PAHs及其衍生物的赋存、来源及其人体暴露风险进行了系统综述,最后提出了现有研究的不足,并对室内灰尘中PAHs及其衍生物今后的研究方向进行了展望.     

广州白云山风景区阔叶植物叶片中的多环芳烃

多环芳烃(PAHs)在环境中分布极广,作为持久性亲脂有机污染物,具有很强的生物累积性。植物对周围环境有着高度的依赖性,阔叶植物由于叶面巨大的表面积,容易吸收富集环境中的多环芳烃。采集了白云山9种阔叶植物叶片样品,利用GC-MS对样品中的多环芳烃进行了定量分析。结果表明,白云山阔叶植物叶片样品中的PAHs以芘所占比例最高,总PAHs为460.2～1303.5ng·g-1(干质量)。从组成上看,白云山阔叶植物叶片中多环芳烃以3环、4环为主,比较发现这种组成特征与大气中PAHs相似。运用分子标志物比值法分析PAHs的来源,发现阔叶植物样品中PAHs主要是热成因来源。广州市工业发达,环境中含有较高PAHs在白云山阔叶植物叶片中已有明显的反映,应加强对环境中PAHs监控和治理。     

东寨港表层海水中多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布特征及来源分析

多环芳烃(PAHs)是一类被广泛关注的持久性有机污染物,其在环境中难降解、易富集。红树林自然生态系统具有极丰富的生物多样性,也是很多鸟类和植物栖息的场所,同时也是海陆交界带重要的污染物收纳场所,因此探讨污染物在其环境中的行为具有很重要的生态学意义。本研究以海南省东寨港红树林自然保护区水体为研究对象,在雨季(8月)与旱季(11月)分别采集表层海水样品,采用固相萃取法富集海水中的PAHs,利用超高效液相(UPLC)测定东寨港水体中12个采样点14种PAHs的质量浓度,以探讨PAHs在东寨港红树林表层海水中的分布特征、来源分析,并进行生态风险评价。结果表明,东寨港红树林湿地表层水体平均总PAHs质量浓度旱季(1 015.27±154.27)~(2 069.07±420.25)ng?L~(-1)明显高于雨季(234.46±114.77)~(683.33±157.03)ng?L~(-1),其中旱季平均质量浓度为(1 490.69±305.02)ng?L~(-1),雨季平均质量浓度为(479.06±152.58)ng?L~(-1)。就单一组分而言,旱季菲(590±176.32)ng?L~(-1)和芴(486.02±248.22)ng?L~(-1)的质量浓度最高,苊(38.95±18.88)ng?L~(-1)的质量浓度较低;雨季萘(175.81±119.83)ng?L~(-1)和芴(151.68±40.6)ng?L~(-1)的质量浓度较高,蒽类和苊质量浓度较低,其余PAHs组分未被检出。应用B[a]A/(B[a]A+Chr),Flu/Pyr及Flua/202等比值法进行来源分析,结果表明东寨港水体PAHs主要源自石油源污染。船坞停靠口及餐饮生活区PAHs质量浓度明显高于其他样点。PAHs组成成分与其结构相关,其中二环和三环占据了较大比例。此外,运用商值法进行东寨港水体生态风险评价,结果表明东寨港水体具有中度生态风险,对水生动植物具有潜在的危害。     

典型多环芳烃在红树林沉积物上的吸附特性及影响因素

采用批量平衡实验,研究了九龙江口红树林沉积物对典型多环芳烃（PAHs）萘（Nap）、蒽（Ant）和苯并[a]芘（BaP）的吸附特性,以及温度、盐度及沉积物不同尺寸团聚体对吸附的影响．结果表明,3种PAHs在沉积物上的吸附分为快速吸附和慢速吸附两个阶段;Freundlich模型能较好地描述其吸附行为,吸附呈非线性;沉积物...     

石油污染对土壤-植物系统的生态效应

伴随着石油的工业化生产和利用,石油污染已经成为一个严重的环境问题.本文从土壤、植物个体、植物群落与生态系统等层次对石油污染的生态效应进行了系统总结.含有多环芳烃(Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)、苯系物(Benzene、toluene、ethylbenzene和xylene,BTEX)等多种有毒物质的石油及其化工产品进入土壤-植物系统后会发生迁移.这不仅对土壤-植物系统的组成、结构、功能和服务产生影响,也会通过食物链危害人类健康.石油污染影响土壤水分状况、孔隙度等物理性质,土壤碳含量、养分含量等化学性质,以及土壤微生物群落组成和多样性、土壤酶活性等生物学性质.通常,石油污染会对大多数植物形成氧化胁迫,影响细胞膜透性,影响光合作用等生理活动,抑制植物生长,影响植物萌发、开花和结实.由于石油污染对植物个体的不同效应以及植物个体对石油污染的不同响应,石油污染对植物群落的影响存在3种基本模式,并最终导致植物群落生物量下降,物种多样性降低,植被盖度降低.进一步影响生态系统的生产力、稳定性和健康,最终危及生态系统的功能和服务.利用微生物、植物及其联合体菌根可以对石油污染物进行生物修复和降解,添加外源营养物质和通气等措施可以强化生物修复过程.应用植被指数和红边效应等遥感方法进行石油污染的生态效应监测具有较大的潜力.总之,如何把土壤-植物系统各水平上不同指标对石油污染物的响应与石油污染的生态效应联系起来,是目前石油污染生态效应研究的重点和难点之一.因此,亟需开展多尺度的系统研究,把室内控制实验、野外控制实验和野外调查有机地结合起来,构建多层次的石油污染标志物体系,全面认识石油污染对土壤-植物系统的生态效应,为石油污染的生态风险评价、治理和控制提供理论基础和实践指导.     

广州不同地表下垫面对暴雨径流PAHs含量的影响特征

城市频发暴雨过程中,地表径流携带大量有机污染物进入水体,对水环境质量影响极其显著。以广州市帽峰山的水文试验场为基础,对比观测了林区3种下垫面类型(草地、水泥、沥青)的暴雨径流,及2种森林生态系统暴雨水文过程中有机污染物多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量特征,解析不同地表下垫面及森林生态系统对暴雨产流PAHs含量的影响。结果表明,(1)市区及林区10次暴雨∑16PAHs的平均质量浓度分别为126.1、112.7ng·L~(-1),市区暴雨中PAHs较林区高13.4ng·L~(-1)。(2)不同地表垫面径流中PAHs的污染负荷为沥青地表水泥地表草地地表,与林区暴雨中∑16PAHs相比,草地及水泥地表垫面分别表征出32%、13%的滤除效应,沥青地表垫面表征出111%的增加效应。(3)相对林区暴雨,阔叶林、杉阔混交林两种森林生态系统总径流∑16PAHs质量浓度分别下降了45.43、69.64ng·L~(-1),滤除效应分别达到40%、58%。阔叶林林冠层吸附了暴雨中14%的∑16PAHs,其地表层向径流中贡献了17%的∑16PAHs;杉阔混交林地表径流∑16PAHs浓度较暴雨低32%。本研究反映出广州市植被下垫面可有效滤除暴雨有机污染物,结果可为珠三角以及其他城市的生态环境保护提供依据。     

A qualitative systematic review of governance principles for mangrove conservation

Management of mangrove ecosystems is complex, given that mangroves are both terrestrial and marine, often cross regional or national boundaries, and are valued by local stakeholders in different ways than they are valued on national and international scales. Thus, mangrove governance has had varying levels of success, analyzed through concepts such as principles of good governance and procedural justice in decision-making. Although there is substantial research on case studies of mangrove management, global comparisons of mangrove governance are lacking. This research aims to fill this gap by comparing relationships among qualities of governance across mangrove social-ecological systems worldwide. Through a systematic literature search and screening process, we identified 65 articles that discussed mangrove governance and conservation. Case studies in these articles, drawn from 39 countries, were categorized as top-down, bottom-up, or comanaged and thematically coded to assess the influence of eight principles of good governance in mangrove conservation success. Across all three governance systems, the principles of legitimacy, fairness, and integration were most important in determining conservation success or failure. These principles are closely related to the concept of procedural justice, highlighting the importance of stakeholder inclusion throughout all stages of mangrove management. Thus, we recommend clearly defined roles for all governance actors, transparent communication of policy development to stakeholders, fairness in both process and outcome, and careful consideration of sustainable access to conservation resources.     

Hydrocarbons contamination and microbial degradation in mangrove sediments of the Niger Delta region (Nigeria)

The distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their degradability by bacteria in epipelic and benthic sediments from Qua Iboe Estuary mangrove ecosystem and associated creeks were investigated. The research findings revealed that total aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments ranged from 16.82 mg·kg ^?1 to 210 mg kg ^?1, wheras total PAHs ranged from 6.30 to 35.55 mg·kg ^?1 dry weight of sediment. Low molecular mass (i.e. the 2–3-ring) PAHs were predominant in almost all the sampling points, whereas the higher molecular masses (4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs) had the lowest concentrations. In general, the sediment samples ES ₂ (39.7%), ES ₃ (24.8%), BS ₁ (46.7%), BS ₂ (49.9%) and BS ₃ (44.2%) showed<50% contributions of Σ combustion–derived PAH (COMP-PAH) concentration to the Σ PAH concentrations, whereas ES ₁ (57%) contained>50% of COMP-PAHs. Our results have also shown that many mangrove bacteria have strong capacity to utilise Qua Iboe Light (QL) crude oil as the sole source of carbon and energy, while lower number of bacterial species including Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes sp. and Flavobacterium sp. exhibited detectable PAHs degradability; and as such may serve as efficient degraders of QL crude oil contamination of mangrove ecosystem.     

海南岛北部潮间带红树林对重金属的累积特征

对海南岛北部潮间带红树林湿地7种红树植物（根、茎、叶）及其根系沉积物中重金属元素含量进行了分析,结果表明：研究区湿地沉积物中Ni、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的变异系数大于0.50,沉积物中重金属分布很不稳定。其中Cr、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的含量均高于海南水系沉积物背景值,可能存在外源的输入。仅有Pb的含量略低于海南水系沉积物背景值。总体来看,大部分植物显示了对Cd元素的较强的富集能力（BAC〉1）,瓶花木对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上要比其他红树植物强一些,木果楝对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上最弱。其中,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cr、Zn、As和Cd的吸收能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr和Ni的吸收能力较强,角果木（Ceriops tagal）对Pb的富集能力较强。角果木（Ceriops tagal）和桐花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）对Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cu、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,尖瓣海莲（Bruguiera sexangula）对Cr、Ni、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木榄（Bruguiera gymnorrhiza）对Ni、Cu、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木果楝（Xylocarpus granatum）对Cr、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr也有较强的运输能力。但此次所研究的红树植物对As元素的运输能力均很弱,建议适量引入适宜在研究区生长并且对As元素富集能力较强的植物。     

薇甘菊入侵对深圳湾红树林生态系统碳储量的影响

外来植物入侵对生态系统碳过程的影响已经成为入侵生态学研究的热点问题。采用比较研究的方法分析了薇甘菊（MikaniamicranthaH．B．K．）入侵对深圳湾红树林生态系统碳储量的影响,分别设置红树林（Kandelia candel）群落、红树林．薇甘菊群落、薇甘菊群落以及光滩等样地,采集植被、凋落物和土壤剖面样品,分析生态系统各组分的碳储量变化。结果表明,薇甘菊入侵对红树林生态系统碳储量有着显著的影响,碳储量从未被入侵下215．73tC／hm^2减少到轻、高度入侵下的197．56tC／hm2和166．70tC／hm2,分别减少8．42％和22．72％。其中植被和土壤碳储量显著减少,凋落物碳储量显著增加。薇甘菊入侵一方面导致红树林枯萎,减少植被生物量,增加凋落物量,另一方面促进了土壤微生物活动,使土壤有机碳分解释放,降低土壤碳储量。薇甘菊入侵后红树林碳储量的降低将大大削弱生态系统的碳汇功能。     

Spatial cost–benefit analysis of blue restoration and factors driving net benefits globally

Marine coastal ecosystems, commonly referred to as blue ecosystems, provide valuable services to society but are under increasing threat worldwide due to a variety of drivers, including eutrophication, development, land-use change, land reclamation, and climate change. Ecological restoration is sometimes necessary to facilitate recovery in coastal ecosystems. Blue restoration (i.e., in marine coastal systems) is a developing field, and projects to date have been small scale and expensive, leading to the perception that restoration may not be economically viable. We conducted a global cost–benefit analysis to determine the net benefits of restoring coral reef, mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass ecosystems, where the benefit is defined as the monetary value of ecosystem services. We estimated costs from published restoration case studies and used an adjusted-value-transfer method to assign benefit values to these case studies. Benefit values were estimated as the monetary value provided by ecosystem services of the restored habitats. Benefits outweighed costs (i.e., there were positive net benefits) for restoration of all blue ecosystems. Mean benefit:cost ratios for ecosystem restoration were eight to 10 times higher than prior studies of coral reef and seagrass restoration, most likely due to the more recent lower cost estimates we used. Among ecosystems, saltmarsh had the greatest net benefits followed by mangrove; coral reef and seagrass ecosystems had lower net benefits. In general, restoration in nations with middle incomes had higher (eight times higher in coral reefs and 40 times higher in mangroves) net benefits than those with high incomes. Within an ecosystem type, net benefit varied with restoration technique (coral reef and saltmarsh), ecosystem service produced (mangrove and saltmarsh), and project duration (seagrass). These results challenge the perceptions of the low economic viability of blue restoration and should encourage further targeted investment in this field.     

Mangrove recruitment after forest disturbance is facilitated by herbaceous species in the Caribbean.

Plant communities along tropical coastlines are often affected by natural and human disturbances, but little is known about factors influencing recovery. We focused on mangrove forests, which are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, to examine how facilitation by herbaceous vegetation might improve forest restoration after disturbance. We specifically investigated whether recovery of mangrove forests in harsh environments is accelerated by nurse plants and whether the beneficial effects are species-specific. Quantification of standardized effects allowed comparisons across performance parameters and over time for: (1) net effect of each herbaceous species on mangrove survival and growth, (2) effects of pre- and post-establishment factors associated with each herbaceous species, and (3) need for artificial planting to enhance growth or survival of mangrove seedlings. Mangrove recruitment in a clear-cut forest in Belize was accelerated by the presence of Sesuvium portulacastrum (succulent forb) and Distichlis spicata (grass), two coastal species common throughout the Caribbean region. The net effect of herbaceous vegetation was positive, but the magnitude of effects on mangrove survival and growth differed by species. Because of differences in their vegetative structure and other features, species effects on mangroves also varied by mechanism: (1) trapping of dispersing propagules (both species), (2) structural support of the seedling (Distichlis), and/or (3) promotion of survival (Sesuviumn) or growth (Distichlis) through amelioration of soil conditions (temperature, aeration). Artificial planting had a stronger positive effect on mangrove survival than did edaphic conditions, but planting enhanced mangrove growth more in Sesuvium than in Distichlis patches. Our study indicates that beneficial species might be selected based on features that provide multiple positive effects and that species comparisons may be improved using standardized effects. Our findings are not only relevant to the coastal environments found in the Caribbean region, but our assessment methods may be useful for developing site-specific information to restore disturbed mangrove forests worldwide, especially given the large pool of mangrove associates (>45 genera) available for screening.     

Economic value and management of mangrove forests in Cameroon

Mangrove forests constitute a pantropical ecosystem that has been much misused and mismanaged, without regard for actual and potential value to coastal resources. This paper uses primary and secondary data sources to assesses the economic value and pollution problems affecting a mangrove ecosystem. It concludes that this fragile ecosystem is under increasing biological stress resulting from industrial, agro-industrial, fishing and urban activities because both the private and public sector regard this ecosystem as wasteland. The paper concludes that, in order to achieve sustainability of the remaining forest, there is need for financial evaluation of the potentials of this ecosystem. Finally, the study identifies sustainable development and management options for mangrove forest and challenges scientists, researchers, natural resource managers and mangrove biologists to provide government authorities and society with evidence of the true potentials of mangrove ecosystems.     

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils of a mangrove forest affected by forest fire

Surface soils affected by forest fires from Igbanko mangrove forest in Nigeria were analyzed for 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The total PAHs concentrations in the soils ranged from 63 to 188?µg?kg^?1 dry weight (average: 108?µg?kg^?1). The three predominant PAHs in the soils were naphthalene (Na), fluoranthene (Flu), and benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF). Compared to the control sample (19?µg?kg^?1), elevated PAHs concentrations were observed in the soils, an indication of some level of PAHs contamination. PAHs source diagnostic ratios of Flu/(Flu?+?Pyr) and Ant/(Ant?+?Phe) indicated that the PAHs have a pyrogenic origin which may have resulted from combustion of grass, wood, or coal. An assessment based on Canadian soil quality guidelines indicated that the studied locations do not pose any serious adverse risk on human health.     

Ecological and economic valuation of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands (NE,Brazil) using ancillary spatial data

This study aimed at the ecological-economic valuation of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands, based on the integration of spatial data (mangrove forest coverage map, Nautical Chart, Environmental Sensitivity Chart) with data from literature on the biogeochemistry of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and heavy metals in the mangrove estuary wetland Potengi) and field verification data (topographic profile of mangrove forest, GPS routes obtained in the field in the touristy sightseeing areas and plots of mariculture). The ecological and economic valuation of the services performed by the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands, mainly as biogeochemical barrier for the transport of P, N and heavy metals in tropical coastal areas, were obtained just as if the retention of those elements was necessary by Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTP) with Stabilization Ponds, typical in the estuary, and Zeolitic plant, respectively. Closer to real scenarios were observed for obtaining the values of these ecological services, such as the release of the P, N and heavy metals in domestic and industrial sewage in the estuary, the capability of dilution and the influence of the tides in the estuary. The tourism potential of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands were assessed according to the current forms of use, and potential of aquaculture through the main types of farming in mangrove areas. For these ecological services, considerable values were obtained of about USS15,500/ha, such as costs of implementation and construction of sewage treatment plants, as well as costs of sewage treatment plants. Nearly US$ 12.500 / ha amount each year from tourism and aquaculture income, demonstrating the economic viability of the Potengi estuary mangrove wetlands conservation.