Refine search
Results 2291-2300 of 7,292
How can ports act to reduce underwater noise from shipping? Identifying effective management frameworks Full text
2022
Recuero Virto, Laura | Dumez, Hervé | Romero Patiño, Carlos | Bailly, Denis
This paper aims to find mechanisms to align commercial interests with underwater noise reductions from commercial shipping. Through a survey and a series of interviews with representative stakeholders, we find that while acknowledging the wide variations in ports' specificities, port actions could support the reduction in underwater noise emissions from commercial shipping through changes in hull, propeller and engine design, and through operational measures associated with reduced speed, change of route and travel in convoy. Though the impact of underwater noise emissions on marine fauna is increasingly shown to be serious and wide-spread, there is uncertainty in the mechanisms, the contexts, and the levels which should lead to action, requiring precautionary management. Vessels owners are already dealing with significant investment and operating costs to comply with fuel, ballast water, NOx and CO2 requirements. To be successful, underwater noise programs should align with these factors. Based on a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach, we find a set of compromise solutions for a wide range of stakeholders. Ports could propose actions such as discounted port fees and reduced ship waiting times at ports, both depending on underwater noise performance. Cooperation between ports to scale up actions through environmental indexes and classification societies' notations, and integration with other ports' actions could help support this. However, few vessels know their underwater noise baseline as there are very few hydrophone stations, and measurement methodologies are not standardized. Costs increase and availability decreases dramatically if the vessel buyer wants to improve the noise profile. Local demands regarding airborne noise close to airports boosted global pressure on the aviation industry to adopt existing quieting technology. This experience of the aviation noise control could inform the underwater noise process.
Show more [+] Less [-]Metals concentrations in transitional and coastal waters by ICPMS and voltammetry analysis of spot samples and passive samplers (DGT) Full text
2022
Caetano, Miguel | Correia dos Santos, Margarida M. | Rosa, Nuno | Carvalho, Inês | Rodríguez, José Germán | Belzunce-Segarra, María Jesús | Menchaca, Iratxe | Larreta, Joana | Sanz, Marta Rodrigo | Millán-Gabet, Vanessa | Gonzalez, Jean-Louis | Amouroux, Isabelle | Guesdon, Stephane | Menet-Nédélec, Florence | White, Blánaid | Regan, Fiona | Nolan, Martin | McHugh, Brendan | Bersuder, Philippe | Bolam, Thi | Robinson, C. D. (Craig D.) | Fones, Gary R. | Zhang, Hao | Schintu, Marco | Montero, Natalia | Marras, Barbara
This study investigates the relationships among Ni, Cd and Pb's different chemical forms determined by different methodologies in coastal and transitional waters across a broad geographical scale. Concentrations were measured in spot samples and through passive sampling (DGT). High variability of metal concentrations was found among sampling sites and methodologies due to natural water fluctuations rather than to a given metal or method. Total dissolved metal concentrations in spot samples were lower than the EQS-WFD values. The labile fractions of Cd and Pb, measured in spot samples by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry and by DGT-ICPMS, were highly correlated. Similar labilities were found for Cd, while for Pb, the ASV labile fraction was ≈50% lower. These results reflect the pool of mobile and labile species available towards each technique kinetic window, and they seem not to be affected by discrete sampling flaws.
Show more [+] Less [-]Occurrence, contamination level and ecological risk assessment of dissolved and particulate trace elements in rivers entering the southwestern Mediterranean Sea Full text
2022
Benhalima, Moustafa | Boulahdid, Mostefa | Guendouzi, Yassine | Radakovitch, Olivier | Aroua, Mohamed | Fowler, Scott W. | Ambrosi, Jean-Paul | Angeletti, Bernard
Metal pollution in rivers should not be overlooked before their entry into the sea. However, there are few studies for estimating such contamination in rivers entering the Algerian coastal waters. Semimonthly quantification of dissolved and particulate metals, near the mouths of two industrial-tainted rivers, El Harrach and Mazafran rivers, was carried out during a period of one year. All the trace metals analyzed are originating from anthropogenic sources (EF > 1.5), with higher contamination of dissolved Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni and a slight degree of contamination of particulate Cu and Zn (0 < Igₑₒ < 1). Particulate metals show a stable complex with the particulate phase (e.g. 2 < LogKd < 6). The risk assessment results indicate that particulate Pb and Zn have a 33% likelihood of toxicity for adverse biological effects. A significant toxicity effect (ΣTUi >4) of the combined particulate metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni and As) was primarily due to the higher particulate Cd, Zn, and Cr availability.
Show more [+] Less [-]Determination of the microplastic content in Mediterranean benthic macrofauna by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Full text
2022
Albignac, Magali | Ghiglione, Jean François | Labrune, Céline | ter Halle, Alexandra
The Mediterranean Sea water bodies are ones of the most polluted, especially with microplastics. As the seafloor is the ultimate sink for litter, it is considered a hotspot for microplastic pollution. We provide an original analytical development based on the coupling of tandem mass spectrometry to pyrolysis-gas chromatography to improve the detection of plastic contamination in marine organisms. Due to the high selectivity of the mass spectrometer, a straightforward sample preparation consists uniquely of potassium hydroxide digestion. The quantification of six common polymers is possible in one run. The method was applied to analyze the plastic content from 500 μm down to 0.7 μm in the whole body of seven benthic species with variable feeding modes. Plastic was detected in all samples, with an almost systematic detection of polypropylene and polyethylene. Our method presents a major development in determining the levels of plastic contaminations in samples with rich organic matter content.
Show more [+] Less [-]Future microplastics in the Black Sea: River exports and reduction options for zero pollution Full text
2022
Strokal, Vita | Kuiper, Eke J. | Bak, Mirjam P. | Vriend, Paul | Wang, Mengru | van Wijnen, Jikke | Strokal, Maryna
The Black Sea receives increasing amounts of microplastics from rivers. In this study, we explore options to reduce future river export of microplastics to the Black Sea. We develop five scenarios with different reduction options and implement them to a Model to Assess River Inputs of pollutaNts to seA (MARINA-Global) for 107 sub-basins. Today, European rivers draining into the Black Sea export over half of the total microplastics. In 2050, Asian rivers draining into the sea will be responsible for 34–46% of microplastic pollution. Implemented advanced treatment will reduce point-source pollution. Reduced consumption or more collection of plastics will reduce 40% of microplastics in the sea by 2050. In the optimistic future, sea pollution is 84% lower than today when the abovementioned reduction options are combined. Reduction options affect the share of pollution sources. Our insights could support environmental policies for a zero pollution future of the Black Sea.
Show more [+] Less [-]Anthropogenic microfibres flux in an Antarctic coastal ecosystem: The tip of an iceberg? Full text
2022
Alurralde, Gastón | Isla, Enrique | Fuentes, Verónica | Olariaga, Alejandro | Maggioni, Tamara | Rimondino, Guido | Tatián, Marcos
This study describes the occurrence of anthropogenic microfibres (AMFs) found in sediment trap samples collected at 25 m water depth in an Antarctic fjord (Potter Cove, King George/25 de Mayo Island) from 2012 to 2015. During visual sorting of samples, AMFs were detected and described, and a subset was confirmed, via FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy, as semi-synthetic cellulosic and polyacrylonitrile polymers. Estimated flux of AMF varied from 115 to 152,750 microfibres m⁻² throughout the studied period, with sizes ranging from 10 to 450 μm in length. Maximum AMFs fluxes occurred in summer months. Sediment traps allowed detecting temporal patterns of small (μm) AMFs, usually undersampled with nets or sieves, providing a new insight into microplastic pollution in Antarctica and its relation to environmental conditions.
Show more [+] Less [-]Effects of depth and overgrowth of ephemeral macroalgae on a remote subtidal NE Atlantic eelgrass (Zostera marina) community Full text
2022
Baden, S. (Susanne) | Fredriksen, Stein | Christie, Hartvig | Eriander, Louise | Gustafsson, Camilla | Holmer, Marianne | Olesen, Birgit | Thormar, Jonas | Boström, Christoffer
We conducted a short-term field sampling complemented with time integrating stable isotope analysis to holistically investigate status and ecological interactions in a remote NE Atlantic Zostera marina meadow. We found high nutrient water concentrations, large biomass of fast-growing, ephemeral macroalgae, low abundance, and biodiversity of epifauna and a food web with thornback ray (Raja clavata) as intermediate and cod (Gadus morhua) as top predator. We observed no variation with increasing depth (3.5–11 m) except for decreasing shoot density and biomass of Zostera and macroalgae. Our results indicate that the Finnøya Zostera ecosystem is eutrophicated. During the past three to four decades, nutrients from aquaculture have steadily increased to reach 75% of anthropogenic input while the coastal top predator cod has decreased by 50%. We conclude that bottom-up regulation is a predominant driver of change since top-down regulation is generally weak in low density and exposed Zostera ecosystems such as Finnøya.
Show more [+] Less [-]A study of trophic structure, physiological condition and mercury biomagnification in swordfish (Xiphias gladius): Evidence of unfavourable conditions for the swordfish population in the Western Mediterranean Full text
2022
Biton-Porsmoguer, Sebastián | Bănaru, Daniela | Harmelin-Vivien, M. L. (Mireille L.) | Béarez, Philippe | Bouchoucha, Marc | Marco-Miralles, Françoise | Marquès, Montse | Lloret, Josep
Studies integrating trophic ecology, physiological condition and accumulation of heavy metals in top predators, such as swordfish, are needed to better understand the links between them and the risk to humans associated with consumption of these fish. This research focuses on the swordfish of the Catalan Sea and follows a multi method approach that considers their diet, their liver lipid content, and mercury accumulation in their bodies as well as in their prey. The aim is to highlight the links between trophic ecology, physiology (fish condition), and eco-toxicology. Results indicate that poor condition of swordfish based on size and the levels of lipid in the liver, and the high Hg levels accumulated to the trophic web (particularly from cephalopods) may indicate potential unfavourable feeding and reproduction conditions for swordfish in the NW Mediterranean and this warrants further investigation.
Show more [+] Less [-]Model based estimate of transboundary litter pollution on Mediterranean coasts Full text
2022
Macías, D. (Diego) | Stips, Adolf | Hanke, Georg
Plastic litter pollution is one of the major concerns for the health of marine ecosystems worldwide. This pervasive form of pollution affects all oceans and seas and it's interacting with multiple levels of the marine food webs. In the European context, several pieces of legislation try to fight against this pervasive and ubiquitous form of pollution. Recently, EU Member States have agreed to a maximum threshold of litter items per coast length (20 items/100 m coastline). One major concern among stakeholders to reach this consensus was the transboundary litter, as measures need to be implemented in the country of origin. Henceforth, a solid method to estimate the amounts of the transboundary litter to a given Member State's coasts is needed. In this contribution, we use a combination of hydrodynamic and Lagrangian models for the Mediterranean Sea in order to understand the origin of coastal litter. Simulations show that the amount of transboundary litter in Mediterranean countries could be as large as 30% although both regional and seasonal differences could be significant.
Show more [+] Less [-]Litter on the seafloor along the African coast and in the Bay of Bengal based on trawl bycatches from 2011 to 2020 Full text
2022
Buhl-Mortensen, L. | Houssa, R. | Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P. | Kainge, P. | Olsen, M.N. | Faye, S. | Wagne, M.M. | Myo Thwe, S. | Cudjoe Voado, G. | Grøsvik, B.E.
We present the occurrence of seafloor litter on the coast of Africa and in the Bay of Bengal based on records from the EAF-NANSEN Programme in 2011 to 2020. Litter bycatch records from 534 bottom trawls were standardized to km² before analysis. Three percent of the records indicated areas of high littering and the highest densities occurred from 100 to 300 m in depth and 50 to 100 km from the coast. Littering was lower in the Indian Ocean compared to Atlantic Africa. Plastic objects and fishing gear dominated the recorded items (47 % and 22 % respectively) but, regional differences were pronounced. Plastic dominated North Atlantic and East African records (58 % and 80 % respectively) and fishing gear dominated (69 %) in South Atlantic Africa while records from the Bay of Bengal were a mix of categories. The relation between littering and population density, marine industry, major cities, and rivers is discussed.
Show more [+] Less [-]