XVII International Estuarine Biogeochemistry Symposium

Abstract Submission remains open for the 17th International Estuarine Biogeochemistry Symposium taking place in Lisbon (Portugal) from May 17 to 20, 2026. 

The main theme for the XVII IEBS symposium in 2026 is “Bridging Current Challenges and Missing Gaps in Estuarine Biogeochemistry”.

Thematic Areas:

Researchers are invited to submit their abstracts related to the following themes: biogeochemical, toxicological and methodological studies related to the great diversity of estuaries and bays in terms of their morphology, geographical location, climatic conditions and anthropogenic influences.

Specific topics include, but are not limited to:

• Inorganic and organic contaminants: occurrence, sources, distribution, fate, interactions with aquatic organisms;
• Adaptation of coastal ecosystems to global change – how do global change threats affect the biogeochemistry of trace elements, nutrients, natural organic matter and greenhouse gases in estuaries and coastal areas?
• New analytical techniques and approaches for the analysis and monitoring of contaminants: development, optimisation and validation;
• Microplastics in the marine environment: distribution, impacts and interactions with other constituents;
• Processes affecting biogeochemistry, exchange and fluxes at estuarine boundaries: sediment-water, air-water, salinity gradient, subterranean estuaries;
• Coupling Observations: development of hybrid models combining physical, chemical, and biological processes; mesocosms as semi-controlled environments to simulate nutrient loading, salinity shifts, or species interactions;
• Emerging Technologies: machine learning to handle variability and data gaps; AI and big data analytics to process complex datasets and uncover hidden patterns;
• Linking Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning and Services: conceptual frameworks connecting biodiversity to ecosystem functioning and human well-being; integration of ecosystem service assessments into biogeochemical studies to highlight societal relevance and guide policy; socioeconomic data to understand human–estuary interactions and support equitable management strategies.