There is an urgent need to quantify coral reef benchmarks that assess changes and recovery rates through time and serve as goals for management. Yet, few studies have identified benchmarks for hard coral cover and diversity in the center of marine diversity. In this study, we estimated coral cover and generic diversity benchmarks on the Tubbataha reefs, the largest and best-enforced no-take marine protected area in the Philippines. The shallow (2–6m) reef slopes of Tubbataha were monitored annually, from 2012 to 2015, using hierarchical sampling. Mean coral cover was 34% (σ±1.7) and generic diversity was 18 (σ±0.9) per 75m by 25m station. The southeastern leeward slopes supported on average 56% coral cover, whereas the northeastern windward slopes supported 30%, and the western slopes supported 18% coral cover. Generic diversity was more spatially homogeneous than coral cover.

Biomass burning is a major source of particulate matter pollution in Upper Southeast Asia (U-SEA), and accurate fire emissions estimates are of great importance in predicting air quality. In this work, we assess two global fire emission inventories, the Fire INventory from NCAR (FINN) and the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS), using the WRF-CMAQ modeling system to simulate aerosol in U-SEA. Simulated particulate matter is compared to observational data from satellites and ground measurements. This study investigates a biomass burning episode that occurred in March 2012. Both emission inventories show similar temporal and spatial variations in PM; however, the quantities of total PM10 emissions differ greatly between FINN and GFAS, with an approximate fivefold ratio of FINN/GFAS. In the source region, simulated PM10 using FINN (PM10FINN) is greatly overestimated, whereas simulated PM10 using GFAS (PM10GFAS) is considerably underestimated. The monthly PM10 averages of PM10FINN, PM10GFAS and observed PM10 in Northern Thailand are 312, 79 and 143 μg/m3, respectively. This study found considerable uncertainties in both FINN and GFAS emission inventories in U-SEA, and these uncertainties were analyzed in this paper. Fire emission estimations require improved specific calculation parameters (i.e. burned area and fuel loading factor for FINN, conversion factor to estimate dry matter burned from fire radiative power for GFAS, emission factors and plume height) to accurately estimate biomass burning emissions for the U-SEA region.

Effects of two chemical forms of Nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−) on δ15N in Ulva lactuca were analysed separately and in mixture at two concentrations. We assessed whether the δ15N values of U. lactuca discriminate between Nitrogen from synthetic fertilisers (inorganic) and from fresh cow manure (organic), and the isotopic ability of the macroalga to reflect Nitrogen concentrations. Isotopic signature and N content of the macroalga reflected different nitrogenous sources and their concentrations after 48h. The inorganic Nitrogen source (NH4NO3) altered the isotopic values of the macroalgae more than Nitrogen from fresh cow manure (NO3−). δ15N values observed in the mixed solution did not differ from those displayed in NH4NO3 treatment alone. We conclude that stable isotope analysis of U. lactuca collected in an unpolluted site and experimentally submerged in sites suspected of being affected by disturbance is a useful tool for rapid monitoring of anthropogenic discharges of Nitrogen pollutants.

The management of underwater noise within the European Union's waters is a significant component (Descriptor 11) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The indicator related to continuous noise, is the noise levels in two one-third octave bands centered at 63Hz and 125Hz. This paper presents an analysis of underwater noise in the Celtic Sea, a heavy shipping area which also hosts the seasonal Ushant thermal front. In addition to the MSFD recommended frequency bands, the analysis was extended to lower and upper frequency bands. Temporal and spatial variations as well as the influence of the properties of the water column on the noise levels were assessed. The noise levels in the area had a high dynamic range and generally exceeded 100dB re 1μPa. Finally, the results highlighted that oceanic mooring must be designed to minimize the pseudo-noise and consider the water column physical properties.

Due to the continuous human activities linked to economic expansion in the Arabian Gulf area (also known as Persian Gulf), various activities have had an adverse impact on the coastal environment. Furthermore, reduction of precipitation and river flows has resulted in alterations to the hydro-environment regime at various levels. The current study uses a detailed numerical model that was validated with recent field measurements to determine the comprehensive seasonal circulations of the Northern Arabian/Persian Gulf (NAG). The seasons were studied individually using a three-dimensional setup and by considering the baroclinic effects and meteorological forcing. It was found that the NAG exhibits distinctive circulation characteristics each season. In winter, a dense water mass that forms near Kuwait flows toward the southeast near-bed, whereas relatively weak Indian Ocean Surface Waters (IOSW) flow along the Iranian coast and, to a lesser extent, oppose these currents. In spring, the southeast near bed circulations are weaker, while the IOSW is in highest conditions reaching the northern latitudes of the Gulf without being significantly diluted. In summer, a thermocline develops, particularly at the main axis of the NAG, and increases the chances of upwelling. The surface water during this season is significantly controlled by wind. Most distinctive, a non-uniform flow is evident at the offshore regions along the Arabian coast due to strong density gradients. In the fall, the circulations are relatively weaker compared to other seasons; however, cyclonic features are evident at the southeast of the estuary. Well-known counter clockwise circulations NAG are evident throughout the season, but at various strengths; summer is the most active season, while fall is the least active season. In a similar manner, the along shore current varied spatially and temporally throughout the seasons.

Previous studies suggested that the removal of Ulva microscopic propagules (UMP) from cradle water might restrict the formation and expansion of green tides in the Yellow Sea, China. In this study, the distribution characteristics of UMP in the southern Yellow Sea was investigated, and then a flocculation experiment of UMP using modified clay (MC) was conducted at a selected station of the research cruise. The results indicated that the distribution of green algae thalli is one of the main factors that directly influence UMP distribution. UMP density was strongly negatively correlated with the distance between the sampling station and the centre of the area containing floating Ulva (r=−0.618***, n=83). >80% of the UMP was removed from the water column after MC application at a concentration of 0.1g/L, and MC applied at a concentration of 0.5g/L reduced the germination rate to 0.3%.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in the surface sediments collected in August 2015 in Sanggou Bay, China. The total concentrations of 13 PBDEs, including BDE-17, -28, -47, -66, -71, -85, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and -190, and concentrations of BDE-209 were 0.223–1.259ng/g and 0.865–9.275ng/g, respectively. The PBDE levels increased from the outer bay to the inner bay. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, followed by BDE-47, BDE-71, and BDE-99. Significant positive correlations were observed for tri-BDEs with organic carbon (r=0.598, p<0.05) and with clay content (r=0.592, p<0.05). Principal component analysis revealed that PBDEs in Sanggou Bay were mainly derived from the usage, dismantling and degradation of commercial products (penta-, octa-, and deca-BDEs), which were then transported through continental runoff and atmospheric deposition. The ecological risks were mainly attributed to deca-BDE congeners with moderate risk level.

We found microplastic in 89.5% of 143 Northern Fulmars from 2008 to 2013 and 64% of 25 Sooty Shearwaters in 2011–2012 that were found dead or stranded on Oregon and Washington beaches. Average plastic loads were 19.5 pieces and 0.461g for fulmars and 13.3 pieces and 0.335g for shearwaters. Pre-manufactured plastic pellets accounted for 8.5% of fulmar and 33% of shearwater plastic pieces. In both species, plastic in proventriculi averaged 2–3mm larger in greatest dimension than in ventriculi. Intestinal plastic in fulmars averaged 1mm less in greatest dimension than ventricular plastic. There was no significant reduction in pieces or mass of plastic in 33 fulmars held for a median of seven days in a plastic-free environment. Three fulmars that survived to be released from rehabilitation regurgitated plastic, which provided an alternative outlet for elimination of plastic and requires reassessment of the dynamics of plastic in seabird gastrointestinal tracts.