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Decadal increase in the number of recreational users is concentrated in no-take marine reserves Full text
2016
Gonson, Charles | Pelletier, Dominique | Gamp, Elodie | Preuss, Bastien | Jollit, Isabelle | Ferraris, Jocelyne
In coastal areas, demographic increase is likely to result in greater numbers of recreational users, with potential consequences on marine biodiversity. These effects may also occur within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are popular with recreational users. Our analysis builds on data collected over a ten-year period during three year-round surveys to appraise changes in recreational boating activities in coral ecosystems. Results show that the number of boaters has greatly increased, particularly so within MPAs during weekends and the warm season, when peaks in boat numbers have become more frequent. We also observed that the number of anchored boats has increased over the period. These changes may be resulting in biophysical impacts that could be detrimental to conservation objectives in MPAs. This steady increase over time may cause changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of users and in their practices, thus highlighting the importance of monitoring recreational activities.
Show more [+] Less [-]Assessment of the contamination of marine fauna by chlordecone in Guadeloupe and Martinique (Lesser Antilles) Full text
2016
Dromard, Charlotte | Bodiguel, Xavier | Lemoine, Soazig | Bouchon-navaro, Yolande | Reynal, Lionel | Thouard, Emmanuel | Bouchon, Claude
Chlordecone is an organochlorine pesticide, used in the Lesser Antilles from 1972 to 1993 to fight against a banana weevil. That molecule is very persistent in the natural environment and ends up in the sea with runoff waters. From 2003 to 2013, seven campaigns of samplings have been conducted to evaluate the level of contamination of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. The present study is the first assessment and the first comparison of the concentrations of chlordecone between marine areas, taxonomic groups, and ecological factors like trophic groups or preferential habitat of fish species. The four most contaminated marine areas are located downstream the contaminated rivers and banana plantations. Crustaceans seemed to be more sensitive to the contamination than fish or mollusks. Finally, when comparing contamination of fish according to their ecology, we found that fish usually living at the border of mangrove and presenting detritivores-omnivores diets were the most contaminated by chlordecone. These results are particularly useful to protect the health of the local population by controlling the fishing and the commercialization of seafood products, potentially contaminated by chlordecone.
Show more [+] Less [-]A semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method for morphological and chemical characterizations of microplastic litter Full text
2016
Frere, L. | Paul-pont, I. | Moreau, Julien | Soudant, P. | Lambert, C. | Huvet, Arnaud | Rinnert, Emmanuel
Every step of microplastic analysis (collection, extraction and characterization) is time-consuming, representing an obstacle to the implementation of large scale monitoring. This study proposes a semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method coupled to static image analysis that allows the screening of a large quantity of microplastic in a time-effective way with minimal machine operator intervention. The method was validated using 103 particles collected at the sea surface spiked with 7 standard plastics: morphological and chemical characterization of particles was performed in < 3 h. The method was then applied to a larger environmental sample (n = 962 particles). The identification rate was 75% and significantly decreased as a function of particle size. Microplastics represented 71% of the identified particles and significant size differences were observed: polystyrene was mainly found in the 2–5 mm range (59%), polyethylene in the 1–2 mm range (40%) and polypropylene in the 0.335–1 mm range (42%).
Show more [+] Less [-]Plastiques et dérivés : quels impacts écotoxicologiques sur les écosystèmes terrestres ? Full text
2016
Mougin, Christian | Lamy, Isabelle | Ecologie fonctionnelle et écotoxicologie des agroécosystèmes (ECOSYS) ; Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AgroParisTech
Plastiques et dérivés : quels impacts écotoxicologiques sur les écosystèmes terrestres ? . Colloque ARET 2016 : Plastiques : quels enjeux pour demain ? Pollution physico-chimique & Impacts environnementaux et sanitaires. Ecoparc Rovaltain
Show more [+] Less [-]Crop protection and environmental health: legacy management and new concepts Full text
2016
Devault, Damien A. | Macarie, Hervé | Lemoine, Soazig | Archéologie Industrielle, Histoire, Patrimoine - Géographie, Développement, Environnement de la Caraïbe [UR6_1] (AIHP-GEODE) ; Université des Antilles (UA) | Ecologie Systématique et Evolution (ESE) ; Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-AgroParisTech-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale (IMBE) ; Avignon Université (AU)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UMR237-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UMR237 | Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA) ; Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN) ; Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA)
International audience | This the Editorial of the special issue of the journal "Environmental Science and Pollution Research" dedicated to the annual congress of the French Group on Pesticide (GFP with its initials in French) that was held in Martinique in May 2014.
Show more [+] Less [-]Under pressure: Investigating marine resource-based livelihoods in Jakarta Bay and the Thousand Islands Full text
2016
Baum, Gunilla | Kusumanti, Ima | Breckwoldt, Annette | Ferse, Sebastian C.A. | Glaser, Marion | Dwiyitno, | Adrianto, Luky | van der Wulp, Simon | Kunzmann, Andreas
Jakarta Bay, next to the Jakarta Metropolitan Area with around 30 million inhabitants, is facing extreme pollution. Although local coral reefs are degraded and marine resources heavily exploited, they provide livelihoods for millions of people. This study investigates anthropogenic pressures on local fisheries resources and associated livelihoods. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in 15 coastal communities (10 coastal neighborhoods in Jakarta Bay on the mainland and 5 of the offshore Thousand Islands). The most economically valuable species were Caesio cuning (Redbelly yellowtail fusilier) on the islands and Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel) on the mainland. Over 80% of all interviewed fishermen regarded the current state of marine resources as declining, mainly due to pollution and overexploitation. While perceptions of declining resources were equally high on the islands and the mainland, pollution was listed as the principal cause of degradation significantly more on the mainland. Findings are discussed in the context of coastal livelihood vulnerability.
Show more [+] Less [-]Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea: A comparison of two sampling methods Full text
2016
Setälä, Outi | Magnusson, Kerstin | Lehtiniemi, Maiju | Norén, Fredrik
Two methods for marine microlitter sampling were compared in the Gulf of Finland, northern Baltic Sea: manta trawl (333μm) and a submersible pump (300 or 100μm). Concentrations of microlitter (microplastics, combustion particles, non-synthetic fibres) in the samples collected with both methods and filter sizes remained <10particlesm−3. The pump with 100μm filter gave higher microlitter concentrations compared to manta trawl or pump with 300μm filter. Manta sampling covers larger areas, but is potentially subjected to contamination during sample processing and does not give precise volumetric values. Using a submerged pump allows method controls, use of different filter sizes and gives exact volumetric measures. Both devices need relatively calm weather for operation. The choice of the method in general depends on the aim of the study. For monitoring environmentally relevant size fractions of microlitter the use of 100μm or smaller mesh size is recommended for the Baltic Sea.
Show more [+] Less [-]Facilitating political decisions using species distribution models to assess restoration measures in heavily modified estuaries Full text
2016
Heuner, Maike | Weber, Arnd | Schröder, Uwe | Kleinschmit, Birgit | Schröder, Boris
The European Water Framework Directive requires a good ecological potential for heavily modified water bodies. This standard has not been reached for most large estuaries by 2015. Management plans for estuaries fall short in linking implementations between restoration measures and underlying spatial analyses. The distribution of emergent macrophytes – as an indicator of habitat quality – is here used to assess the ecological potential. Emergent macrophytes are capable of settling on gentle tidal flats where hydrodynamic stress is comparatively low. Analyzing their habitats based on spatial data, we set up species distribution models with ‘elevation relative to mean high water’, ‘mean bank slope’, and ‘length of bottom friction’ from shallow water up to the vegetation belt as key predictors representing hydrodynamic stress. Effects of restoration scenarios on habitats were assessed applying these models. Our findings endorse species distribution models as crucial spatial planning tools for implementing restoration measures in modified estuaries.
Show more [+] Less [-]Seasonal distribution and geochemical fractionation of heavy metals from surface sediment in a tropical estuary of Jeneberang River, Indonesia Full text
2016
Najamuddin, | Prartono, Tri | Sanusi, Harpasis S. | Nurjaya, I Wayan
Lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) concentrations from surface sediments were determined at 17 stations in riverine, estuarine, and marine environments during the wet and dry seasons. The geochemical fractionations were obtained by a sequential extraction procedure in five geochemical forms: exchangeable, bound to carbonate, iron–manganese oxide, organic, and residual fractions. The concentrations of Pb and Zn in the water were higher during the wet season than the dry season and higher in the riverine and marine samples than the estuarine samples. Following geochemical fractionation, the metals were found mainly in the residual fraction. The results indicated that the concentrations were influenced by season, with the sources of Pb and Zn derived mainly from rivers and natural sources. The contamination status in the estuary of the Jeneberang River was classified as weak to moderate pollution and the risk level to aquatic biota attributed was no risk to low risk.
Show more [+] Less [-]The influence of extreme winds on coastal oceanography and its implications for coral population connectivity in the southern Arabian Gulf Full text
2016
Cavalcante, Geórgenes H. | Feary, David A. | Burt, John A.
Using long-term oceanographic surveys and a 3-D hydrodynamic model we show that localized peak winds (known as shamals) cause fluctuation in water current speed and direction, and substantial oscillations in sea-bottom salinity and temperature in the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf. Results also demonstrate that short-term shamal winds have substantial impacts on oceanographic processes along the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf coastline, resulting in formation of large-scale (52km diameter) eddies extending from the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to areas near the off-shore islands of Iran. Such eddies likely play an important role in transporting larvae from well-developed reefs of the off-shore islands to the degraded reef systems of the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf, potentially maintaining genetic and ecological connectivity of these geographically distant populations and enabling enhanced recovery of degraded coral communities in the UAE.
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