Coastal weeds are often treated with herbicides without knowledge of non-target impacts, and toxicity data from standardized test species can have limited applicability. We evaluated toxicity to invertebrates from Fusilade Forte® and the adjuvant Hasten® in the control of invasive salt marsh grass, Spartina anglica. For 3 of 4 local invertebrates, Fusilade Forte® was moderately toxic (96h LC50 5.4–144mgL−1), whereas Hasten® was less toxic (14.2–450mgL−1). For most species, the mixture was more toxic than the herbicide alone, with 96h LC50 reduced 23–45%. However, a field experiment applying typical concentrations (1000×the lowest 96h LC50) showed low concentrations of herbicide residues and no detrimental impacts on invertebrates over 6months. The results reveal the importance of testing locally relevant species for potential toxicity, and of comparison tests with field exposures to determine the realised toxicity in nature.

We chronicle the extensive influence over the past forty years of Professor Edward D. Goldberg and his call in 1975 for a “Mussel Watch” or bivalve sentinel organism approach to assess geographic status and temporal trends of several chemicals of environmental concern in the coastal ocean. Examples of local, regional, national and international programs are discussed briefly as are examples of interesting useful findings and limitations to the Mussel Watch concept. Mussel Watch continues to provide useful data about status and trends of chemical contamination in coastal ecosystems.

Crude oil released from the Deepwater Horizon disaster into the Gulf of Mexico posed potential impacts to infaunal invertebrates inhabiting near shore habitats. The effects of sediment-associated weathered slick oil on the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus was assessed using 28-d exposures to total PAH sediment concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 24mg/kg (sum of 50 PAHs or tPAH50). Survival and growth rate were significantly decreased in the 2.6, 11.4 and 24.2mg/kg treatments, but only growth in 5.5mg/kg. Offspring production was dramatically decreased but was variable and significantly different only for 24.2mg/kg. The concentrations associated with 20% decreases relative to reference were 1.05 (95% CI=0–2.89) mg/kg tPAH50 for growth rate and 0.632 (95% CI=0.11–2.15) mg/kg tPAH50 for offspring production. The concentrations of PAHs affecting amphipods are within the range of concentrations measured in marsh areas reportedly impacted by DWH oil after its release.

2-methythiol-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine (Irgarol-1051) has been widely used as effective alternative antifouling paint in marine structures including ships. However, it has been causing deleterious effects to marine organisms including reef building corals. The main objective of this study was to establish baseline levels of Irgarol-1051 around coral reefs and nearby ecosystems along coastline of Zanzibar Island. The levels of Irgarol-1051 ranged from 1.35ng/L around coral reefs to 15.44ng/L around harbor with average concentration of 4.11 (mean)±0.57 (SD) ng/L. This is below Environmental Risk Limit of 24ng/L as proposed by Dutch Authorities which suggests that the contamination is not alarming especially for coral reef ecosystem health. The main possible sources of the contamination are from shipping activities. This paper provides important baseline information of Irgarol-1051 around the coral reef ecosystems within the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and may be useful for formulation of marine conservation strategies and policies.

Trinidad and Tobago was the last Caribbean island to be invaded by the lionfish and since its invasion in 2012 they have spread to most coral reef and hard bottom environments. Standard reef fish surveys were used to assess lionfish population densities and size distributions from 2013–2015. Total lengths ranged between 6.2–40.4cm and 2.2–950g in weight. The length-weight relationship was described by W=0.0002L2.5654. Fish densities were highest in the northeast Tobago at 326lionfish/ha and the lowest in the southwest Tobago at 10.5lionfish/ha. In order to curtail the spread of this invasive species, a culling programme was initiated at selected reefs to regularly remove lionfish at monthly intervals. On the selected reefs 26–30% reduction in mean lionfish biomass and 25–27% reduction in abundance was noted compared to control sites (p<0.05).

Chemical dispersants were used in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, both at the sea surface and the wellhead. Their effect on oil biodegradation is unclear, as studies showed both inhibition and enhancement. This study addresses the effect of Corexit on oil biodegradation by alkane and/or aromatic degrading bacterial culture in artificial seawater at different dispersant to oil ratios (DORs). Our results show that dispersant addition did not enhance oil biodegradation. At DOR 1:20, biodegradation was inhibited, especially when only the alkane degrading culture was present. With a combination of cultures, this inhibition was overcome after 10days. This indicates that initial inhibition of oil biodegradation can be overcome when different bacteria are present in the environment. We conclude that the observed inhibition is related to the enhanced dissolution of aromatic compounds into the water, inhibiting the alkane degrading bacteria.

Large measurement networks of Black Carbon (BC) aerosol are important for understanding its impacts on climate and health. PM2.5 filter samples were collected at three urban US locations and one India urban location and were analyzed for Elemental Carbon (EC) and Organic Carbon (OC) concentrations using thermo-optical analysis (TO) following the IMPROVE protocol for US samples and NIOSH protocol for India samples. Site and season-specific calibrations of an inexpensive photo-reference (PR) method were created with TO EC measurements of the US filter samples whereas method-specific calibration was prepared using India filter samples. Piece-wise calibration based on filter loading was also explored. Calibrations were applied across different sites, seasons and methods to determine Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and average absolute error in each calibration by comparing with reference EC measurements. This paper investigates various calibrations of PR method to improve the agreement between PR method and TO EC measurements. Difference in BC estimated error remained within ±10% among three urban US site-specific calibrations, which suggests that site-specific calibrations are not necessary. Season based calibrations were found to perform best (least RMSE/Mean EC), when applied to same season test samples but resulted in large errors of up to 60% RMSE/Mean EC when applied to different seasons, thus warranting the use of season-specific calibrations of the PR method. RMSE relative to mean EC was 50% when calibration prepared from US samples (IMPROVE protocol) was used to test India samples (NIOSH protocol). However, method-specific calibration prepared from India samples reduced the error to 24%, showing the large dependency of PR method on reference BC measurement method. Calibration based on filter loading reduced the RMSE slightly for both US urban and India samples and indicated that filters with loadings higher than 20 μg cm−2 are not suitable for estimating BC by PR method.

The response of polyether-type polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers used to estimate the gaseous concentration of organic chemicals has been modelled using the COSMO-RS methodology. Experimental data for equilibrium partitioning ratios were used to evaluate several different oligomers as surrogates for polyurethane foam over a temperature range of 15–95 °C. Models were built with varying mole ratios of mono- or di-isocyanates and ether-based linkers derived from glycerol, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, styrene and oligomers of ethylene oxide. Several models were found to have comparable root-mean-square (RMS) error, and COSMO-RS results were generally consistent with the empirical data. A PUF model consisting of a 1:1 condensed pair of 2,4-toluene-diisocyanide and glycerol was found to have minimal RMS error for both aromatic organic molecules and a large set of organic molecules studied between 15 and 95 °C. This model was applied to a series of simple and heteroatom-substituted polycyclic aromatics, for which the temperature dependence of air-polymer partitioning was predicted between −5 and 40 °C. Log K(PUF-Air) is found to decrease by 1.5–2.5 log units over this range, reflecting the increased volatility of the compounds with temperature, demonstrating the need for accurate exposure temperatures for partitioning involving air. The model results support the application of the passive samplers for monitoring and research studies of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in air. The approach also illustrates an efficient strategy of selective acquisition of experimental data for COSMO-RS validation, coupled by theoretical prediction of a much larger number of chemicals at various temperatures.

This study aimed to assess the impact of trace element concentrations in fish assemblages of a recovering coastal lagoon. Fish, water and sediment were sampled in winter and summer in the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal). Multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between fish assemblages and environmental variables (physical-chemical parameters, contaminants and sediment grain size). In winter, fish density and biomass were mainly affected by the water turbidity, while Li concentration in the water column was found to be significant for fish biomass. During summer, a significant relationship was found between fish density and temperature, Hg, Li and Zn concentration in the sediment. These contaminants were mainly associated with the historically contaminated area, were Liza spp. and Dicentrarchus labrax appeared as dominant species. Environmental variables were not significant for fish biomass. The historical contamination in the Ria de Aveiro still seems to exert some influence on fish community structure.

Climate change with human direct pressures represent significant threats to the resilience of shoreline habitats like mangroves. A rapid, whole-of-system assessment strategy is needed to evaluate such threats, better linking innovative remote sensing with essential on-ground evaluations. Using the Shoreline Video Assessment Method, we surveyed around 190km of the mostly mangrove-fringed (78%) coastline of Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. The aim was to identify anthropogenic drivers of degradation, establishing baseline for specific rehabilitation and protection strategies. Fish traps occupy at least 87% of shoreline mangroves, around which there were abundant human activities – like fishing, crabbing, farming, plus collecting firewood and foliage. Such livelihoods were associated with remnant, fringing mangrove that were largely degraded and threatened by erosion retreat, herbivory, and excessive cutting. Our assessment quantified associated threats to shoreline stability, along with previous rehabilitation intervention measures. The method offers key opportunities for effective conservation and management of vulnerable shoreline habitats.