Eutrophication Monitoring for Sustainable Development in Nha Trang Marine Protected Area, Vietnam

Phan Minh-Thu (), Ho Van The (), Hoang Xuan Ben, Nguyen Minh Hieu, Le Hung Phu, Le Trong Dung, Pham Hong Ngoc, Vo Tran Tuan Linh, Pham Thi Mien, Tran Thanh Ha, Nguyen Thi Xuan Thang, Hoang Thanh Vinh and Dao Viet Ha
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Phan Minh-Thu: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Ho Van The: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Hoang Xuan Ben: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Nguyen Minh Hieu: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Le Hung Phu: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Le Trong Dung: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Pham Hong Ngoc: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Vo Tran Tuan Linh: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Pham Thi Mien: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam
Tran Thanh Ha: Faculty of Geomatics and Land Administration, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Xuan Thang: United Nations Development Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Hoang Thanh Vinh: United Nations Development Programme, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Dao Viet Ha: Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: Environmental monitoring is essential to assess and, if possible, anticipate the consequences of various marine economic developments. This study describes progress in environmental monitoring by developing and applying a eutrophication index (EI) for marine protected areas (MPAs). The EI combines available data, such as biological oxygen demands, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a, with the weighting factors calculated from principal component analysis to assess environmental quality. Its effectiveness was tested using nearly three decades of environmental data (since 1996) from the Nha Trang MPA in Vietnam. The EI revealed clear trends in environmental quality. In the period 1996–2006, environmental conditions deteriorated, negatively impacting aquaculture. In the later period, 2007–2024, improved environmental protection policies, technological developments, expanding tourism, and heightened public awareness contributed to a reversal of this trend. During the earlier period, the EI indicated poor environmental quality (Level V), while in the later years, it improved significantly, approaching Level II. This study also identified the spatial eutrophication patterns and helped to determine the causes of specific eutrophication levels. These included port development, aquaculture activities, and domestic waste discharge. These findings highlight the close relationship between environmental quality and economic activities in the bay. Overall, the new EI and its sensitivity maps enhance environmental monitoring capabilities. They provide valuable tools for decision-makers, aiding in the strategic planning of marine economic development, ecosystem protection, and sustainable resource use. The approach supports long-term environmental stewardship and more informed, adaptive management of coastal and marine areas.

Keywords: water quality monitoring; eutrophication index (EI); water quality; marine protected area (MPA); Nha Trang Bay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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