Water and biodiversity: shaping life in the context of human impacts in the Bay of Pollença (Mallorca, Balearic Islands)

Coastal marine ecosystems, particularly semi-enclosed bays in the Mediterranean, are increasingly affected by human activities such as tourism, urban development and pollution. In insular contexts like Mallorca, these pressures can have a strong influence on water quality and marine biodiversity. Understanding the relationships between physical, chemical and biological parameters is therefore essential to assess ecosystem health and to raise awareness about the conservation of coastal environments.

The study, carried out with the 16-17 years old students in collaboration with researchers from the Oceanographic Center of the Balearic Island, focused on analysing the relationship between water quality, biodiversity and human impacts. Students conducted fieldwork at different locations, collecting water, plankton and microplastic samples using boats and canoes. Physical and chemical parameters (such as temperature, salinity, turbidity and nutrients) were analysed, together with biological indicators including plankton communities, seagrass bioindicators and the presence of microplastics in water and beach sand. Water temperature profiles were used to identify seasonal patterns, such as the presence or absence of a thermocline, and sea level data were compared with atmospheric pressure and long-term trends.

The results show spatial differences in water quality related to freshwater inputs and human activity, with higher turbidity, nutrient concentrations and microplastic abundance in more impacted coastal areas. Biodiversity indicators generally reflected good ecosystem health, although plankton abundance and composition varied between coastal and offshore zones, suggesting an influence of anthropogenic pressure.

Beyond scientific analysis, students communicated their findings through posters and oral presentations at the Secosta student conference in the University of the Balearic Islands, as well as, through local radio and newspapers, promoting environmental awareness and engagement with sustainability initiatives.

This hands-on experience is highly motivational for the students, inspire them to engage in scientific discovery and provide them with a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems. Students are encouraged to use critical thinking to analyze data, make predictions, create graphs, draw parallels between different parameters and human impacts and improve their collaboration and communication skills.

Keywords:  Marine Ecosystems, Sea Temperature, Sea level, Biodiversity, Pollution, Awareness, Human impacts, Sustainability