Human activity is contributing increasing noise to marine ecosystems. Recent studies have examined the effects of boat noise on marine fishes, but there is limited understanding of the prevalence of this type of sound source. This investigation tracks vessel noise on three reefs in the US Virgin Islands National Park over four months in 2013. Ambient noise levels ranged from 106 to 129dBrms re 1μPa (100Hz–20kHz). Boat noise occurred in 6–12% of samples. In the presence of boat noise, ambient noise in a low-frequency band (100–1000Hz) increased by >7dB above baseline levels and sound levels were significantly higher. The frequency with the most acoustic energy shifted to a significantly lower frequency when boat noise was present during the day. These results indicate the abundance of boat noise and its overlap with reef organism sound production, raising concern for the communication abilities of these animals.

Indices based on macrobenthic responses to disturbance remain to be adequately tested for the detection of spatial variability by robust sampling designs. We present herein a congruence test to real-world data of the widely used indices AMBI, M-AMBI and BENTIX in tidal flats of a subtropical estuary. We used a hierarchical sampling design to evaluate the spatial variability of the indices in response to distinct levels of sewage contamination. Indices were then tested for correlations with chemical proxies of contamination and for the similarity of responses. BENTIX and M-AMBI produced over- and underestimations of ecological status. We found a low degree of similarity among indices as an expression of the spatial variation of macrofaunal assemblages on their performances. Only AMBI varied at the contamination scale (103m) and was congruent with physical–chemical proxies. Ambiguous responses indicated effects of natural inputs of organic matter rather than environmental quality associated to sewage.

In this study the environmental impacts of two fish farms located over deep water (180–190m) were compared. MC-Farm was located at a site with slightly higher water currents (mean current speed 3–5cms−1) than LC-farm (<2cms−1). Macrofauna composition, bioirrigation and benthic fluxes (CO2 and NH4+) were quantified at different stages of the production cycle, revealing very different impact of the two farms. Macrofauna abundance and bioirrigation were stimulated compared to a non-impacted reference site at MC-farm, while macrofauna diversity was only moderately reduced. In contrast, macrofauna communities and related parameters were severely impoverished at LC-Farm. This study suggests that deep-water fish farms should not be sited in low current areas (<2cms−1), since this will hamper waste dispersal and aggravate environmental impacts. On the other hand, fish farming at slightly more dynamic sites can lead to stimulated benthic macrofauna communities and only moderate environmental impacts.

Sediments in eight types of mangroves were sampled in the Leizhou Peninsula. Heavy metals were analyzed to investigate the effects on metal distribution of mangrove communities, to evaluate contamination levels, identify sources and relationships between the two. Results showed that mangrove communities have effects on most heavy metal distributions in sediments, especially in the sediment with shrub communities of Aegiceras corniculatum where the contents of many metals are highest. As, Cr and Ni were identified as metal pollutants of primary concern, while Cd was of no concern. Zn, Pb, As mainly originated from anthropogenic source while the other metals are geogenic. Heavy metal distributions were affected by the independent and joint effects of landscape and sediment context; landscape context explains more variations in heavy metals than does sediment physicochemical variables. Total sulfur, total phosphorus and total potassium in sediment, and the existence of paddy field and forest land within 2000m around the sampling sites are significant variables also.

For centuries, animal manures have been a traditional source of nutrients in agriculture. However, disposal of animal manure has become an environmental problem in recent times as a result of increased concentration of animal production within small geographic areas. Manure nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applied in excess of the assimilative soil capacity have the potential to reach and pollute water resources through soil leaching or runoff. Yet, conservation and recovery of N and P is a concern in modern agriculture because of the high cost and future limited supply of commercial fertilizers, particularly P which is extracted from mineral deposits. Therefore, N and P recovery methods are necessary to reduce their excess prior to manure soil application and recover them as valuable products. This article is a review of existing technologies for animal waste treatment and additional new methods for recycling manure N and P and possible recovery as valuable byproducts.

The concentrations of thallium (Tl) in the surface sediments of the southwestern coastal Laizhou Bay and the rivers it connects were determined. In riverine sediments, the Tl concentrations ranged from 0.34 to 0.76μgg−1 in summer; in autumn, the corresponding data were 0.35–1.08μgg−1. In marine sediments, the Tl concentrations ranged from 0.36 to 0.58μgg−1 in summer; and from 0.30 to 0.56μgg−1 in autumn. The grain size, Al and Fe oxides were major factors affecting Tl distribution. Tl in the surface sediments of the studied area was mainly from the natural input with the non-natural input as a subsidiary source. The low concentrations of Tl made it hard to cause potential negative environmental effects in this area.

Seawater samples collected between 2007 and 2012 were determined the concentrations of nutrient (DIN and DIP), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and six different heavy metals (As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg). The DIN, DIP, TPH, Pb, and Cd concentrations decreased from 2007 to 2009 or 2010 and increased after 2010. However, the Hg and Cu concentrations increased from 2007 to 2012. In contrast, the As and Zn gradually decreased during the study period. All of the pollutant concentrations gradually decreased from the shoreline to the offshore sites. PCA result showed that urban and port areas, agriculture, and atmospheric deposition were the main sources of pollutants in the bay. Although most of the pollutants were present at concentrations bellow the highest seawater quality standards in China, eutrophication was a risk in Bohai Bay. In addition, DIN was the main pollutant and was responsible for the eutrophication risk in Bohai Bay.

Turbinaria ornata mediated silver nanoparticles (TOAg-NPs) were evaluated for antibacterial activity against 15 biofilm forming bacterial isolates. A field study in natural seawater for 60days showed antifouling activity of TOAg-NPs on stainless steel coupons (SS-304) coated with Apcomin zinc chrome (AZC) primer. Though TOAg-NPs showed broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, the maximum zone of inhibition was with Escherichia coli (71.9%) and a minimum with Micrococcus sp. (40%) due to the EPS secretion from Gram-positive bacteria. Compared to control coupons (18.9 [×103], 67.0 [×103], 13.5 [×104] and 24.7 [×104]CFU/cm2), experimental biocide coupons (71.0 [×102], 32.0 [×103], 82.0 [×103] and 11.3 [×104]CFU/cm2) displayed lesser bacterial population density. Toxicity studies revealed 100% mortality for Balanus amphitrite larvae at 250μgml−1 concentration within 24h, while 56.6% recorded for Artemia marina at the same concentration indicating less toxicity to non target species. It proved that AZC+TOAg-NPs prevent biofouling by its Ag-NS affinity and antimicrobial effectivity.

A geographically extensive baseline survey of sediment contamination was undertaken at twenty nine locations around Kuwait. Samples were assessed in relation to a wide range of industrial pollutants, including metals, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs. The data generated indicated that levels of pollutants were generally low and below commonly applied sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). However, naturally high background concentrations of certain metals present in sediment from the region may prohibit the direct assessment against some of the routinely applied SQGs. Hot spots of contamination were identified for PAHs, PCBs and PBDEs, that were mainly associated with the Shuaiba Industrial Area, located south of the city, and known to contain a diverse mix of both light and heavy industry.

The present study analyzes spatial distribution and typology of marine litter on the seabed in the FAO Geographical Sub-Area 17 (northern and central Adriatic Sea). Two surveys were conducted during fall 2011 and 2012 and 67 stations were sampled each year. Litter items were collected using the “rapido” trawl, a modified beam trawl commonly used by the Italian fishermen to catch flat fish and other benthic species. Marine litter in the catches was sorted and classified in 6 major categories (plastic, metal, glass, rubber, wood, other). Plastic litter was further subdivided in 3 sub-categories based on its source: fishing nets, aquaculture nets and other. Plastic was dominant in terms of weight followed by metal and other categories. The highest concentration of litter was found close to the coast likely as a consequence of high coastal urbanization, river inflow and extensive navigation associated with the morphological and hydrological features of the basin.