Contamination by heavy metals causes serious effects in marine systems. Nowadays, the combination of chemical and biological data is recommended in monitoring programs. Metallothioneins (MT) are early-warning signals of metal exposure and are widely used in biomonitoring. The present research evaluates the heavy metals levels in sediments and the MT synthesis in the crab Neohelice granulata from the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE). Then, the recovery capabilities of N. granulata followed by a depuration phase are assessed. Results demonstrate a slow decline in the level of metals in the study area. In relation to MT, female crabs showed elevated MT when compared to males. Furthermore, MT synthesis diminished after the depuration phase. These data constitute the first MT information in organisms from the BBE and may be considered as baseline for future studies in this matter. Although pollution level found was low, further biomonitoring considering both types of data is recommended.

The Biguglia lagoon is a shallow Mediterranean coastal ecosystem where eutrophication is increasing for years. A channel supplying freshwater was cleared in 2009 to enhance lagoon water circulation and alleviate dystrophic crises. Monthly monitoring was started in 2010 to document the impacts of this action on abiotic characteristics and phytoplankton communities. Three stations were surveyed (by microscopy and HPLC). Evidence suggests that this operation had an unexpected outcome. Salinity footprints indicated the succession of three main hydrological sequences that depended on rainfall and circulation pattern. Diatoms and dinoflagellates dominated the first sequence, characterized by heavy rainfall, while Prorocentrum minimum became progressively the dominant species in the second period (increasing salinities) with extensive bloom over the whole lagoon (5.93×10-5cells·L−1) during the third period. These phytoplankton successions and community structures underline the risk of pernicious effects arising from remediation efforts, in the present case based on increasing freshwater inputs.

The goal of the current study was to evaluate different genotoxicity tools in order to assess a marine protected area (MPA) affected by former mining activities and urban settlements. A catfish (Cathorops spixii) was analyzed for genotoxic effects at the (i) molecular and at the (ii) chromosomal levels. Through factor analysis, genotoxicity was found to be linked to levels of metals bioaccumulated and PAH metabolites in the bile. Micronucleus and nuclear alteration were less vulnerable to the effects of confounding factors in mildly contaminated areas since they were more frequently associated with bioaccumulated metals than the DNA analysis. The different genotoxicity responses allowed for the identification of sources of pollution in the MPA. This approach was important for detecting environmental risks related to genotoxic contaminants in a mildly contaminated MPA.

On January 31, 2014, an oil spill accident occurred in Yeosu, South Korea. A total 800–899kl of oil from the pipeline was spilled into the sea. After the oil spill, the KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) researched PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in various media, but sedimentary PAHs were not analyzed despite their longer persistency than in other media. Therefore, this study examined PAH levels in intertidal sediments around Gwangyang Bay and identified PAH sources using oil fingerprinting. PAH residual levels showed a dramatic decrease during the four months after the accident and then remained at a relatively constant level. Analysis through regression equations indicate that this study area is likely to be restored to the PAH levels prior to the accident. Furthermore, the source analysis and oil fingerprinting analysis showed that PAH contamination in this study was unlikely to have originated from the spilled oil.

Surface sediment samples were collected from upstream down to the subaqueous delta of the Red River in Vietnam to assess heavy metal pollution. Sediment Cr and V concentrations are strongly correlated with Al, Fe, Mn and total organic carbon concentrations, as well as particle size, suggesting that these two metals are derived primarily from natural sources and enriched in the fine fraction of sediments. In contrast, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations show weaker correlations with particle size, with very high concentrations observed at several sites in the upper reach of the river, pointing to anthropogenic input as a possible source of these heavy metals. Enrichment factors (EF) of Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn suggest that heavy metal pollution is present in sediments with significantly high values in the upstream. The data analysis indicates that Cd, Cu and Pb are the dominant pollutants in the Red River, with their concentrations reaching moderate to serious pollution levels.

A novel aerobic denitrification and biomineralization strain CN86 was isolated from the Qu Jiang artificial lake. Based on phylogenetic characteristics, the isolated strain was identified as Acinetobacter species. Strain CN86 was confirmed to have the ability to perform simultaneous denitrification and biomineralization. Exponential decay equation was used for the matching of kinetic processes on denitrification and biomineralization. A highest nitrate removal rate was achieved at the pH7.0, organic concentration of 1.5g/L and temperature of 30°C. An optimal hardness removal rate was obtained at the pH9.0, organic concentration of 2.0g/L and temperature of 30°C. Strain CN86 is a suitable candidate for the simultaneous removal of nitrate and hardness in groundwater treatment.

Marine debris, particularly plastic, is an identified concern for coastal areas and is known to accumulate in large quantities in the North Pacific. Here we present results from the first study to quantify and compare the types and amounts of marine debris on Maui shorelines. Surveys were conducted monthly between May 2013 and December 2014, with additional daily surveys conducted on Maui's north shore during January 2015. Debris accumulation rates, loads, and sources varied between sites, with plastics being the most prevalent type of debris at all sites. Large debris loads on windward shores were attributed to the influence of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and northerly trade winds. Daily surveys resulted in a significantly higher rate of debris deposition than monthly surveys. The efficacy of local policy in debris mitigation showed promise, but was dependent upon the level of enforcement and consumer responsibility.

This research provides first information about Posidonia oceanica canopy in the area affected by Costa Concordia wreck. Percentage cover of algal and animal taxa on the leaves was estimated and biotic features of the meadow were measured in the period just after the shipwreck until its removal from the impacted site. Changes in epiphytic assemblages and some biotic features were detected in the Disturbed site compared with Control ones, highlighting effects due to the wreck presence and activities related to its removal. A temporary decrease of encrusting macroalgae and an increase of erected macroalgae and foraminifers, as well as a temporary increase of tip erosion of the canopy were detected in the Disturbed site. The obtained results were discussed and hypotheses about possible synergic effects occurred near the wreck were commented.

This work developed a new method to determine concentration of Corexit EC9500A, and likely other oil dispersants, in seawater. Based on the principle that oil dispersants decrease surface tension, a linear correlation was established between the dispersant concentration and surface tension. Thus, the dispersant concentration can be determined by measuring surface tension. The method can accurately analyze Corexit EC9500A in the concentration range of 0.5–23.5mg/L. Minor changes in solution salinity (<0.3%), pH (7.9–9.0), and dissolved organic matter (<2.0mg/L as TOC) had negligible effects on the measurements. Moreover, effects of extracts from marine sediments were negligible, and thus, the method may be directly applied to seawater–sediment systems. The method accuracy was confirmed by comparing with direct TOC analysis. This simple, fast, economical method offers a convenient analytical tool for quantifying complex oil dispersants in water/seawater, which has been desired by the oil spill research community and industries.

Three core samples were taken from zones offshore from the Mejerda River Delta (Tunisia) and analyzed for major and trace elements to assess their relationships with organic matter, monosulfides and carbonates, as well as for pollution and bioavailability. Chemical speciation, ∑ SEM/AVS, the enrichment factor (EF) and the geo-accumulation index (I-geo) were used. Iron, cadmium, lead and zinc – the most frequently mined metals in the Mejerda catchment – were found as contaminants in the offshore areas. Estimations of trace element accumulation using the EF and the I-geo index show that lead, and to a lesser extent zinc, are the most polluting metals off the Mejerda outlet. According to their bioavailability, these metals are also the most toxic. Only cadmium is heavily present in delta sediment (EF>100) though deeply sequestrated (100% bound to the residual fraction) and thus presents no toxicity.