Work

Water quality indices and their impact on coastal pollution and tourist satisfaction: A systematic review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: This study examines the application of Water Quality Indices (WQIs) as functional instruments for evaluating the health of coastal and aquatic ecosystems and for facilitating tourism-dependent coastal management. Coastal waters are important for the economy, recreation, and protecting biodiversity, but they are becoming more polluted and less appealing as tourist destinations because of urbanization, poor waste management, and climate-related stressors. A comprehensive search of Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore up to 30 November 2024, following PRISMA rules, found 3,477 records. Of them, 35 research met strict inclusion requirements and focused on the construction or use of WQIs in coastal tourism areas. The research found six key index groupings. Pollution Indices (28.3%) and general Water Quality Indices (16.7%) were used the most, which shows how important they are for monitoring the environment. Methodological trends indicate a growing dependence on statistical methods (31.6%), machine learning techniques (10.5%), and GIS-based spatial analysis for identifying spatiotemporal pollution patterns and conveying hazards to managers. A consistent finding across the studies was that degraded water quality—due to eutrophication, turbidity, or microbial contamination—adversely impacts tourist satisfaction, diminishes the recreational and aesthetic value of beaches, and may deter repeat visits, thereby establishing a connection between environmental conditions and local economic resilience. The review indicates that context-specific, tourist-sensitive Water Quality Index (WQI) frameworks, linked with spatial and data-driven technologies, are critical for aligning water quality management with sustainable coastal tourism and for conserving ecosystem services vital to human and economic well-being.

Source: Regional Studies in Marine Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2026.105057

Authors: Medriti Mustafaraj, Øivind Kåre Kjerstad, Houxiang Zhang

Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Water Quality and Pollution Assessment

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,030