In this study, two ocean oil spill detection approaches based on four scattering matrices measured by fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are presented and compared. The first algorithm is based on the co-polar correlation coefficient, ρ, and the scattering matrix decomposition parameters, Cloud entropy (H), mean scattering angle (α) and anisotropy (A). While each of these parameters has oil spill signature in it, we find that combining these parameters into a new parameter, F, is a more effective way for oil slick detection. The second algorithm uses the total power of four polarimetric channels image (SPAN) to find the optimal representation of the oil spill signature. Otsu image segmentation method can then be applied to the F and SPAN images to extract the oil slick features. Using the L-band fully polarimetric Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle – synthetic aperture radar (UAVSAR) data acquired during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster event in the Gulf of Mexico, we are able to successfully extract the oil slick information in the contaminated ocean area. Our result shows that both algorithms perform well in identifying oil slicks in this case.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the distribution and accumulation of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) in seawater, sediments and selected organisms from a cage mariculture area in southern Taiwan, Hsiao Liouchiou Island. Our results show that ΣOTs were found in concentrations as high as 196ng/L in seawater collected from the sites in Pai-Sa harbor, and up 1040ng/g dry wt. in sediments dredged from sites within Da-Fu harbor. Also, ΣOTs concentrations of 859ng/g dry wt. were observed in the liver of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) from mariculture cages. As most published studies have focused on the acute toxicity and bioaccumulation of organotins in mussels, the effects of organotins on cobia and other marine fauna are still poorly understood. This study highlights the significance of ΣBTs accumulation in cobia, as well as in the sediments and seawater surrounding their culture facilities.

The endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was investigated in 28 riverine sediments from the Pearl River system, China and analyzed by an ultrasonication extraction and GC–MS method. The concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), and bisphenol A (BPA) in the sediments were in the ranges of <2.0–210, 107–16198 and <1.7–430ng/g dw, respectively. The steroid estrogens estrone (E1) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in the sediments ranged from <1.3 to 10.9ng/gdw and from <0.9 to 2.6ng/gdw, respectively. The spatial distribution of these chemicals was related to the discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater along the rivers. The positive correlation between EDCs and total organic carbon indicates that sedimentary organic carbon is an important factor in controlling the distributions of EDCs. Compared with other previous studies, the ZR and DR rivers from the PRD were heavily contaminated by APs and BPA.

Environmental fate of fish farm wastes (FFW) released from an open-sea-cage farm at Kat O, Hong Kong was examined by measuring carbon and nitrogen stable isotope (SI) ratios in selected benthic organisms collected along a 2000m transect from the farm. Our results showed that FFW significantly influenced the energy utilization profile of consumers near the fish farm. Although nitrogen enrichment effect on δ¹⁵N was anticipated in biota near the farm, the predicted patterns did not consistently occur in all feeding guilds. Two species of suspension-feeders, which relied on naturally δ¹⁵N-depleted sources, were δ¹⁵N-enriched near the fish farm. In contrast, both species of benthic grazer and deposit-feeder, which relied on naturally δ¹⁵N-enriched algal sources, were δ¹⁵N-depleted under the influence of FFW. The SI signatures of biota can, therefore, serve as feasible biomarkers for FFW discharges only when the trophic structure of the receiving environment is fully elucidated.

Edible marine products (n=24) collected from the fish markets in Adelaide, Australia, were analysed for the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The total concentration of 11 PBDE congeners found in the marine products ranged from 1.01 to 45ng/g fresh weight. Among the samples analysed, imported silver fish and prawns from Vietnam and Thailand respectively, recorded the highest ∑PBDEs concentrations (45.10 and 43.29ng/g fresh weight) as against 13.08 and 12.57ng/g fresh weight in Australian king prawns and Gar fish. BDE-209 was the most dominant congener in the marine products followed by BDE-47, 99 and 100. The calculated average daily intakes of ∑PBDEs per day for an adult male and female (19 or more years old) were 1026.8 and 1188.4ng/kg per day, respectively. This study clearly shows that the dietary exposure to marine foods can contribute to PBDEs accumulation in human body.

We studied metal pollution in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, including anthropogenic influence during recent decades and at the present time. Sediment profiles were collected at ten sampling points. The concentrations of 63 elements in bulk sediment were obtained using ICP–MS, and the concentrations of selected elements were evaluated by statistical factor analyses. We also calculated metal-enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices and constructed spatial-distribution maps. Mercury (Hg) was the heaviest pollutant, with concentrations exceeding 4mg/kg. Silver (Ag) was the second most important pollutant, with constantly increasing values. The average concentrations of the most toxic elements were comparable to those found in sediments of other ports throughout the world, and their toxicity ranged from threshold values [chromium (Cr), arsenic (As)] and midrange-effect values [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni)] to extreme-effect values (Hg). Metal pollution has decreased during recent decades, except for Ag and barium (Ba).

In this study, the distribution and partition of polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water from the Pearl River Estuary were investigated. A seasonal dependence for dissolved and particle phase PCB and PBDE levels was observed. A high dissolved phase level occurred in the dry season. The positive correlation between POC content in the particles and phase distribution coefficients (Kₚ) suggested that POC may play an important role in determining the partition of PBDEs and PCBs. A linear correlation between the observed log KOC and log KOW for PBDEs and PCBs was found with slopes less than one. The observed log KOC values were lower than the predicted log KOC values for PBDEs (except for BDE28). The log KOC values were higher than the predicted values for PCBs. A combination of sorption to colloids (10–98% for PBDEs and less than 25% for PCBs) and adsorption to BC was responsible for this observation.

Southern resident killer whales in British Columbia and Washington are exposed to heavy vessel traffic. This study investigates their exposure to exhaust gases from whale-watching vessels by using a simple dispersion model incorporating data on whale and vessel behavior, atmospheric conditions, and output of airborne pollutants from the whale-watching fleet based on emissions data from regulatory agencies. Our findings suggest that current whale-watching guidelines are usually effective in limiting pollutant exposure to levels at or just below those at which measurable adverse health effects would be expected in killer whales. However, safe pollutant levels are exceeded under worst-case conditions and certain average-case conditions. To reduce killer whale exposure to exhaust we recommend: vessels position on the downwind side of whales, a maximum of 20 whale-watching vessels should be within 800m at any given time, viewing periods should be limited, and current whale-watch guidelines and laws should be enforced.

This study determined the concentrations of major and trace elements in shellfish (oysters, clams and mussels) and conducted an assessment of the health risks due to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Samples were collected at 34 sites along Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil. The elements were determined by ICP OES and Hg by Direct Mercury Analysis. Relatively high concentrations of trace elements (As, Zn, Se and Cu) were found in seafood tissues. Potential daily intake of As, Co, Se, Zn and Cu associated to shellfish consumption suggested relevant non-carcinogenic risk for all studied locations. Copper was the element that posed the greatest non-carcinogenic risk, while Pb posed the highest carcinogenic risk. Health risks for humans were greatest from the consumption of mussels. Contaminated shellfish offer the greatest risk for children, subsistence fishers and subsistence shellfish consumers.

To evaluate the superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes as a potential indicator of environmental stress, we cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNA of a Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD genes from the marine polychaete, Neanthes succinea. Ns-Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD expression was measured using quantitative real-time RT-PCR in response to the oxidative stress induced by copper in the form of CuCl₂. Ns-Cu/Zn-SOD expression increased in a dose dependent manner but the increase of Mn-SOD expression was evident only at a high concentration of copper. Particularly, Ns-Mn-SOD dramatically increased in the 72μg/L CuCl₂-exposed groups, indicating that both Ns-SOD genes were induced by copper exposure. These results suggest that Ns-Cu/Zn- and Ns-Mn-SOD would play important roles in the detoxification of cellular oxidative stresses in the polychaete, N. succinea. Furthermore, as part of field work, the marine polychaete, N. succineaCu/Zn-SOD mRNA collected from the polluted area was accordingly upregulated in expression but not for NS-Mn-SOD.