Globally Consistent Assessment of Coastal Eutrophication

Eutrophication is an emerging global issue associated with increasing anthropogenic nutrient loading. The impacts and extent of eutrophication are often limited to regions with dedicated monitoring programmes. Here we introduce the first global and Google Earth Engine-based interactive assessment tool of coastal eutrophication potential (CEP). The tool evaluates trends in satellite-derived chlorophyll-a (CHL) to devise a global map of CEP. Our analyses suggest that, globally, coastal waters (depth ≤200 m) covering ∼1.15 million km2 are eutrophic potential. Also, waters associated with CHL increasing trends—eutrophication potential—are twofold higher than those showing signs of recovery. The tool effectively identified areas of known eutrophication with severe symptoms, like dead zones, as well as those with limited to no information of the eutrophication. Our tool introduces the prospect for a consistent global assessment of eutrophication trends with major implications for monitoring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the application of Earth Observations in support of SDGs. Satellite-derived chlorophyll data and Google Earth Engine (GEE) are used to introduce the first global map of coastal eutrophication potential as a GEE app. The prospects of the app being used as a global framework for eutrophication screening/monitoring are discussed.