peer reviewed | This paper describes the PREI (Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index), a method used to assess the ecological status of seawater along Mediterranean French coasts. The PREI was drawn up according to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EC) and was tested on 24 and 18 stations in PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur) and Corsica respectively. The PREI is based on five metrics: shoot density, shoot leaf surface area, E/L ratio (Epiphytic biomass/leaf biomass), depth of lower limit, and type of this lower limit. The 42 studied stations were classified in the first four levels of status: high, good, moderate and poor. The PREI values ranged between 0.280 and 0.847; this classification is in accordance with our field knowledge and with our knowledge of the literature. The PREI was validated regarding human pressure levels (r²= 0.74). (http://eurex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2000:327:0001:0072:EN:PDF)

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]BELCA | International audience | Passive sampling devices (PS) are widely used for pollutant monitoring in water, but estimation of measurement uncertainties by PS has seldom been undertaken. The aim of this work was to identify key parameters governing PS measurements of metals and their dispersion. We report the results of an in situ intercomparison exercise on diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) in surface waters. Interlaboratory uncertainties of time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations were satisfactory (from 28% to 112%) given the number of participating laboratories (10) and ultra-trace metal concentrations involved. Data dispersion of TWA concentrations was mainly explained by uncertainties generated during DGT handling and analytical procedure steps. We highlight that DGT handling is critical for metals such as Cd, Cr and Zn, implying that DGT assembly/dismantling should be performed in very clean conditions. Using a unique dataset, we demonstrated that DGT markedly lowered the LOQ in comparison to spot sampling and stressed the need for accurate data calculation.

Results on sea - water quality control and level of pollution in the coastal Southern Adriatic (Montenegro, Yugoslavia) were discussed from data collected in 1997. Investigations from Boka Kotorska Bay, coastal sea up to Bojana river mouth and in front of Bojana river mouth were presented separately. For above mentioned areas, basic hydrographic parameters, as well as the level of bacterial contamination were examined throughout the year (1996/1997 period). In Kotor Bay, which is the shallowest and exposed to the strongest land - based sources, as in the Tivat Bay, some changes influenced by anthropogenic eutrophication were already found.

In recent years, the widespread use of rare earth elements (REEs) has raised the issue of their harmful effects on the aquatic environment. REEs are now considered as contaminants of emerging concern. Despite the increasing interest of REEs in modern industry, there is still a lack of knowledge on their potential impact on the environment and especially in the marine environment. In this context, the need for monitoring tools to assess REEs pollution status in marine ecosystems is considered as the first step towards their risk assessment. Similar to mussels, filter-feeder sponges have emerged as a key bio-monitor species for marine chemical pollution. Their key position at a low level of the trophic chain makes them suitable model organisms for the study of REEs potential transfer through the aquatic food web. We therefore undertook a comparative study on seven marine sponge species, assessing their capability to bioaccumulate REEs and to potentially transfer these contaminants to higher positions in the trophic chain. A spike experiment under controlled conditions was carried out and the intra- and inter-species variability of REEs was monitored in the sponge bodies by ICP-MS. Concentrations were found to be up to 170 times higher than the corresponding control specimens. The tubular species Aplysina cavernicola showed the highest concentrations among the studied species. This study shows, for the first time, the potential of marine sponges as bio-monitor of REEs as well as their possible application in the bioremediation of polluted sites.

Passive sampling devices (PS) are widely used for pollutant monitoring in water, but estimation of measurement uncertainties by PS has seldom been undertaken. The aim of this work was to identify key parameters governing PS measurements of metals and their dispersion. We report the results of an in situ intercomparison exercise on diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) in surface waters. Interlaboratory uncertainties of time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations were satisfactory (from 28% to 112%) given the number of participating laboratories (10) and ultra-trace metal concentrations involved. Data dispersion of TWA concentrations was mainly explained by uncertainties generated during DGT handling and analytical procedure steps. We highlight that DGT handling is critical for metals such as Cd, Cr and Zn, implying that DGT assembly/dismantling should be performed in very clean conditions. Using a unique dataset, we demonstrated that DGT markedly lowered the LOQ in comparison to spot sampling and stressed the need for accurate data calculation.

We assessed mercury (Hg) pollution in China's coastal waters, including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, based on a nationwide dataset from 301 sampling sites. A methylmercury (MeHg) intake model for humans based on the marine food chain and human fish consumption was established to determine the linkage between water pollutants and the pollutant intake by humans. The predicted MeHg concentration in fish from the Bohai Sea was the highest among the four seas included in the study. The MeHg intake through dietary ingestion was dominant for the fish and was considerably higher than the MeHg intake through water respiration. The predicted MeHg concentrations in human blood in the coastal regions of China ranged from 1.37 to 2.77 μg/L for pregnant woman and from 0.43 to 1.00 μg/L for infants, respectively, based on different diet sources. The carnivorous fish consumption advisory for pregnant women was estimated to be 288–654 g per week to maintain MeHg concentrations in human blood at levels below the threshold level (4.4 μg/L established by the US Environmental Protection Agency). With a 50% increase in Hg concentrations in water in the Bohai Sea, the bioaccumulated MeHg concentration (4.5 μg/L) in the fish consumers will be higher than the threshold level. This study demonstrates the importance in controlling Hg pollution in China's coastal waters. An official recommendation guideline for the fish consumption rate and its sources will be necessary for vulnerable populations in China.