Biodegradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) by three marine algae was investigated. When they were coexistent, DBP was degraded more quickly than DEP. The first-order biodegradation rate constants of DBP in the algal solutions were in the order of Cylindrotheca closterium (0.0169h−1)>Dunaliella salina (0.0035h−1) and Chaetoceros muelleri (0.0034h−1). When singly existed, DEP was degraded more quickly than in a mixture with DBP, indicating that DBP had inhibitory effect on the biodegradation of DEP. Moreover, the degradation trends of DEP and DBP in both extra- and intracellular crude extracts were similar to those in algal solutions. At the end, DEP was largely in water phase, whereas DBP remained in both water phase and algal phase. It can be concluded that biodegradation of DEP was mainly by algal extracellular enzymes, and both extra- and intracellular enzymes played key roles in the degradation of DBP.

546 Vibrio isolates from rearing seawater (292 strains) and intestines of abalone (254 strains) were tested to ten antibiotics using Kirby–Bauer diffusion method. Resistant rates of abalone-derived Vibrio isolates to chloramphenicol (C), enrofloxacin (ENX) and norfloxacin (NOR) were <28%, whereas those from seawater showed large fluctuations in resistance to each of the tested antibiotics. Many strains showed higher resistant rates (>40%) to kanamycin (KNA), furazolidone (F), tetracycline (TE), gentamicin (GM) and rifampin (RA). 332 isolates from seawater (n=258) and abalone (n=74) were resistant to more than three antibiotics. Peaked resistant rates of seawater-derived isolates to multiple antibiotics were overlapped in May and August. Statistical analysis showed that pH had an important effect on resistant rates of abalone-derived Vibrio isolates to RA, NOR, and ENX. Salinity and dissolved oxygen were negatively correlated with resistant rates of seawater-derived Vibrio isolates to KNA, RA, and PG.

Semi–volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated analogues (OPAHs) are associated with adverse health effects. They are normally sampled by active sampling but recently a number of passive samplers that rely on calibrated sampling rates (Rs), have successfully captured the full suite of PAHs associated with both the gas–and particulate phases. However, there have been few studies on the mechanisms controlling particle deposition during passive sampling. To address this issue, a diesel exhaust aerosol with a number mode of ~120 nm containing PAHs and OPAHs that are partitioned approximately equally between the gas and particle phases was used to study the performance of a passive sampler design of axial badge type. The sampler was tested with two different collection substrates and the diffusion distance was varied to determine its effects on sample collection. The results obtained were compared to data gathered by active sampling of the gas and particle phases. In addition, Rs values were calculated for selected PAHs and OPAHs. The material collected by the passive samplers was analyzed using a highly sensitive protocol involving thermal desorption followed by GC–MS. The passive sampler yielded highly reproducible Rs values and its PAH uptake was shown to be enhanced by using a collection substrate modified with a gas–adsorbing coating (Tenax®) which was exclusively addressed being uptake from the gaseous phase. However, the uptake of the less volatile OPAHs was not affected by the use of a coated substrate. Experimental data and theoretical calculations showed that particle diffusion may have substantially less impact on particulate matter collection than other deposition mechanisms. The high sensitivity and small size of the sampler suggest that after testing in other environments it may have diverse applications in sampling campaigns and as a promising candidate for a personal sampler.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were quantified in muscle tissue of European hake, an ecologically and commercially important species. Samples were collected from the Western Mediterranean, in seven different stations at different depths and a batch was bought in a local market. PCBs are the dominant pollutants, but the overall concentrations do not show significant differences between the different specimens analyzed from various locations, with the exception of the concentration of PCBs at a shallow station close to the River Besòs mouth. This probably suggests that generally the pollutants in hake from the Western Mediterranean derive from historical and non-point sources. The occurrence of pollutants is widespread in the samples but their concentration is below recommended legal limits for fish or other foodstuffs.

Marine turtles are an iconic group of endangered animals threatened by debris ingestion. However, key aspects related to debris ingestion are still poorly known, including its effects on mortality and the original use of the ingested debris. Therefore, we analysed the impact of debris ingestion in 265 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) over a large geographical area and different habitats along the Brazilian coast. We determined the death rate due to debris ingestion and quantified the amount of debris that is sufficient to cause the death of juvenile green turtles. Additionally, we investigated the original use of the ingested debris. We found that a surprisingly small amount of debris was sufficient to block the digestive tract and cause death. We suggested that debris ingestion has a high death potential that may be masked by other causes of death. An expressive part of the ingested debris come from disposable and short-lived products.

This paper presents a new semi-empirical model for oil droplet size distributions generated by single breaking wave events. Empirical data was obtained from laboratory experiments with different crude oils at different stages of weathering. The paper starts with a review of the most commonly used model for natural dispersion, which is followed by a presentation of the laboratory study on oil droplet size distributions formed by breaking waves conducted by SINTEF on behalf of the NOAA/UNH Coastal Response Research Center. The next section presents the theoretical and empirical foundation for the new model. The model is based on dimensional analysis and contains two non-dimensional groups; the Weber and Reynolds number. The model was validated with data from a full scale experimental oil spill conducted in the Haltenbanken area offshore Norway in July 1982, as described in the last section of the paper.

Oil is principally one of the most important energy sources in the world. However, as long as oil is explored and transported for being used, there will be the risk of the spillage into the marine environment. The use of technical textiles, i.e. fibrous beds, is a conventional separation technique for oil/water emulsion since it is efficient and easy to design. In this paper, the recovery of oil by technical textiles was mathematically modeled based on the structural parameters of textile and the capillary mechanism. Eleven types of commercial technical textiles with different properties were prepared for the experimental program. The experimental design included fiber type (polypropylene and polyester), fabric type (woven and/or nonwoven), fabric thickness and fabric areal density. Consequently, the absorption capacities of different technical textile samples were derived by the use of theoretical and experimental methods. The results show that there is a well fitness between theoretical outputs and experimental data.

Disinfection of microbes is of importance to prevent the spread of pathogens and non-indigenous species in the environment. Here we test the applicability of using flow cytometry (FCM) to evaluate inactivation of the phytoplankter Tetraselmis suecica after UV irradiation and labeling with the esterase substrate 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate acetoxymethyl ester (CFDA-AM). Non-irradiated and UV irradiated samples were analyzed with the plate count technique and FCM for 24days. The numbers of colony forming units were used as a standard to develop a FCM protocol. Our protocol readily distinguishes live and dead cells, but challenges were encountered when determining whether UV damaged cells are dying or repairable. As damaged cells can represent a risk to aquatic organisms and/or humans, this was taken into account when developing the FCM protocol. In spite of the above mentioned challenges we argue that FCM represents an accurate and rapid method to analyze T. suecica samples.

Benzotriazoles (BZTs) are used in a broad range of commercial and industrial products, particularly as metal corrosion inhibitors and as ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizer additives in plastics and polymers. In this study, dated sediment cores from two east coast estuaries were analyzed for commonly used BZTs. In Narragansett Bay, UV stabilizing BZTs (UV-BZTs) were present at high levels from 1961 on, reflecting their patent date, local production and long-term preservation in sediment. In Salem Sound, UV-BZTs were present at concentrations consistent with other coastal marine locations not influenced by BZT production. Anticorrosive BZTs (AC-BZTs) were found in both cores, with the highest levels reported to date present in Narragansett Bay, indicating sorption to, and preservation in, sediments. This study revealed that both classes of BZTs have remained structurally intact over time in coastal sediment cores, demonstrating their resistance to degradation and persistence in environmental compartments.

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn were determined in soils and in below- and above-ground structures of Spartina densiflora in a Patagonian salt marsh (San Antonio, Río Negro, Argentina). Also, the relationship between trace metal concentrations in soils and plants was investigated to improve our knowledge regarding the ability of this plant species to take up and accumulate trace metals from the soil. Our results indicate that, within the studied salt marsh, soil trace metal concentrations follow a decreasing concentration gradient toward the sea. They show moderate pollution and a potentially negative biological effect in one site of the salt marsh. While below-ground structures reflect the soil metal concentration pattern, this is not so evident in above-ground concentrations. Also, S. densiflora is able to absorb a limited amount of metals present in the soil, the soil bioaccumulation factor being lower in sites where soil metal concentration is higher.