Soil Quality Assessment Towards its Sustainable Management in Thai Binh Mangrove, Vietnam

Abstract

Mangrove soil is crucial for maintaining the health and nutrient balance of coastal ecosystems. It often serves as the final sink for commercial, aquaculture, and agricultural contaminants. This necessitates developing and understanding precise insights into mangrove health and sustainability through tailor-made evaluation indices. Currently, there are few studies regarding the assessment of mangrove ecosystem sustainability. The Thai Binh Mangrove is the third-largest province in terms of mangrove coverage in northern Vietnam. This mangrove has not undergone a direct assessment of soil quality using ground-level data. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluating the current state of the Thai Binh Mangrove in Vietnam, identifying key factors contributing to its degradation. Soil samples were collected from 38 stations across the mangrove and analyzed for pH, heavy metals, and nutrients over two years, from 2022 to 2023. The mangrove soil quality is assessed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA). The Pollution Load Index (PLI) is used to characterize soil pollution, and it ranges from 0.29 to 1.09. Additionally, the Ecological Risk Index (ERI) is used to assess the ecological impact of soil pollution, revealing that the area falls within the low-risk category. The study also proposes measures like aquaculture, ecotourism, and increased awareness and education regarding the sustainability of mangroves and soil quality. The study underscores the significance of international cooperation, treaties, and legislative reform in assisting decision-makers with sustainable mangrove management.