The purpose of the present study was to compare two neutral red retention methods, the more established but very labour-intensive microscope method (NRR) against the more recently developed microplate method (NRU). The intention was to explore whether the sample volume throughput could be increased and potential operator bias avoided. Mussels Mytilus sp. were exposed in vivo to 50, 250 and 500μgL−1 single (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Using the NRR method, SWCNTs and MWCNTs caused concentration dependent decreases in neutral red retention time. However, a concentration dependent decrease in optical density was not observed using the NRU method. We conclude that the NRU method is not sensitive enough to assess carbon nanotube ecotoxicity in vivo in environmentally relevant media, and recommend using the NRR method.

The objective of the present study was to conduct a probabilistic assessment of risk posed by copper found in the coastal marine environment of China from 2005 to 2012. This was achieved by applying a tiered ecological risk assessment (ERA) approach for characterization of risks of concentrations of copper from nationwide marine water monitoring program. The results show that from 2005 to 2012 the overall trend of hazard quotients (HQs) in the coastal marine environment of China the proportion of locations that exceed a HQ of 1.0 decreased from 64% in 2005 to 31% in 2012. While this indicates an overall improvement of the environment, there still have potential ecological risks in the most of the area, especially for the major gulfs of Liaodong and Bohai Bays and Yellow River Estuary. In addition, probabilities of exceeding the toxicity threshold for 5% of species were 27.6%, 5.4%, 4.9%, 0.8%, 0.4%, 1.0%, 1.8% and 0.12% annually between 2005 and 2012, respectively.

In order to select appropriate plant species for phytoremediation of explosive compounds, phytotoxicity, uptake proficiency, capability of the plant to degrade/transform the compounds, and several environmental factors need to be considered. The environmental factors comprise climatic attributes, soil type, the water environment, root penetration depth, contaminant kinetics, and bioavailability. Out of the plant species that have shown efficient TNT uptake, there are only a few that can do so in a variety of environments, which is imperative in case of contaminants that are widespread, such as TNT and RDX. The two most effective species for TNT uptake reported to date are Eurasian water milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum and vetiver grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides. For RDX phytoremediation, reed canary grass, fox sedge, and rice have shown promise, although degradation of RDX in the plant tissue is limited. Over the past few decades, a considerable amount of information on phytotoxicity and metabolism of TNT and RDX in plants and microorganisms have been collected, which has led to the identification of potential plant species for use in TNT and RDX phytoremediation, as well as candidate genes for developing effective transgenic plants. Recent research has also revealed promising non-transgenic approaches, such as use of chaotropic agents for enhanced solubilization and uptake of TNT, which could prove to be practical and effective for military sites. Field trials of some of these promising new technologies are necessary for the development of effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly phytoremediation of explosive-contaminated sites.

Different phytoplankton analysis methods (pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometry (PAM) and microscopy) were compared in preparation for compliance monitoring and enforcement with ballast water discharge standards. The key objective was to practically evaluate the performance of different new methods and tools to identify indicatively living phytoplankton cells of the size <50μm in minimum dimension and ≥10μm in minimum dimension as addressed by the Ballast Water Performance Standard (Regulation D-2, International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004). Four different PAM instruments were selected for the tests based upon knowledge and experience gained in different ballast water sample processing studies. The measurements of the PAM instruments were compared with epifluorescence microscope algae cell counts using fluorescein diacetate as viability stain. It was concluded that PAM fluorometry is a suitable method for indicative phytoplankton analysis of ballast water and the most accurate PAM instruments were identified.

Levels of Al, Sc, V, Co, Ni, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, Th and U that were rarely or never studied, as well as the concentrations of classically investigated Mn, Fe and Zn in brown algae Cystoseira barbata C. Ag. and Cystoseira crinita (Desf.) Bory from the coastal waters of marine protected areas (Crimea, Black Sea), were determined using neutron activation analysis. Spatial variation and compartmentalization were studied for all 19 trace elements (TE). Concentrations of most TE were higher in “branches” than in “stems”. Spatial variations of V, Co, Ni and Zn can be related to anthropogenic activities while Al, Sc, Fe, Rb, Cs, Th and U varied depending on chemical peculiarities of the coastal zone rocks. TE concentrations in C. crinita from marine protected areas near Tarkhankut peninsula and Cape Fiolent, identified as the most clean water areas, are submitted as the background concentrations.

Two fish species yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) and tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) were collected from two locations in Kuwait’s territorial waters in non-reproductive periods and used as bio-indicator organism for the assessment of metals in the marine environment. Species variation in fish was observed; seabream contained high metal content and metallothionein in liver and gill tissues compared to tonguesole, especially from Kuwait Bay area. Oxidative injury was registered in the gills of both species, but in tonguesole liver was also involved. Consequently, antioxidant enzyme catalase was elevated in tonguesole enabling bottom dwelling fish to combat oxidative assault. The study provided information about the current status of metals in marine sediment and levels of metals accumulated in representative species along with oxidative damage in exposed tissues and the range of biomarker protein metallothionein and enzymes of antioxidant defence mechanism enhancing our understanding about the biological response to the existing marine environment in Kuwait.

Measurements of isoprene emissions, solar spectral radiation, temperature and relative humidity were carried out at a grassland site in the Inner Mongolia, China during the growing seasons in 2002 and 2003. Isoprene emissions are dependent on PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and temperature nonlinearly. PAR controls the main processes related to isoprene emission, thus, PAR energy balance is used to establish quantitative relationship between isoprene emission and its affecting factors. An empirical Equation of isoprene emission was built on the basis of PAR energy balance. The calculated values were in good agreement with those measured for 2002 and 2003 summer seasons, the relative biases of 70% estimated emissions were within 50% compared to measured fluxes. The chamber changes the inside environment and emission fluxes, the emission differences were estimated by using the empirical Equation. The results show that isoprene emission flux around the noon decreases by 37% when the chamber is used, i.e., the biggest effect was resulted from PAR difference caused by the chamber. Isoprene emission measured by chamber should be corrected. The empirical model of isoprene emission showed that isoprene emission fluxes were close to zero, when PAR was low in early morning and in late evening. Total isoprene emissions emitted from the grassland in the Inner Mongolia were 1.10 and 1.00gC m−2 during the growing seasons of 2002 and 2003, respectively, which contributed to about 3.1–4.3% and 2.8−3.9% to grass respiration. The averaged isoprene emission normalized to a standard light (1 500μmolm−2 s−1) and temperature (30 °C) condition was 482.8μg m−2 h−1.

Three monosaccharide anhydrides levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan were detected in winter snowfall samples of 2012 in urban Beijing. Concentrations of three isomers vary from 0.15 to 54.43ngmL−1, with an average value of 10.49ngmL−1. Levoglucosan is the most abundant component. Winter snowfalls are contaminated by biomass burning emissions seriously in urban Beijing. The main sources are softwood and crop residue burnings around Beijing from late autumn to early winter, while long-range transport of biomass burning emissions contribute more during the late winter. Concentrations of monosaccharide anhydrides in snowfall samples may be affected by both topography and the meteorological conditions around urban Beijing.

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most polluted seas worldwide, especially with regard to plastics. The presence of this emerging man made contaminant in marine environments precludes large effects and interactions with species exposed to massive litter quantities. In this review, available data of floating and seafloor litter around Mediterranean sub-basins are reported. A review of scientific literature on the interaction of plastic with marine biota resulted in the identification of 134 species, several taxa and feeding strategies affected from 1986 to 2014. Data from 17,334 individuals showed different levels of ingestion and effects on catalogued IUCN species (marine mammals and sea turtles) in addition to several pelagic fish and elasmobranchs. Biodiversity is certainly under threat, and knowledge of the extent of taxa affected is of concern considering the increasing plastic loads in the Mediterranean Sea and worldwide.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crude oil on water transport through mangroves roots in the presence and absence of dispersants. Water transport through the roots were evaluated experimentally using red mangrove root segments exposed to salt water contaminated with Louisiana crude oil for seven days in the presence and absence of Corexit 9500A (dispersant). Experimental observations were interpreted in view of the structural integrity and fouling phenomena observed on the epidermis and endodermis layers of the roots. The effects of oil on the radial water flux through the epidermis and endodermis were analyzed using a dual layer filtration model. Progression of fouling due to accumulation and penetration of the contaminants through the root layers were interpreted in relation to observed mangrove health (long and short term effects) reported in the literature.