To date, very little or no data exist in literature for some brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls in Queensland sediments. These pollutants were measured in the sediments along the Brisbane River estuary. The target compounds were regularly detected in measurable concentrations: PBDEs=33.3–97.8% (n=45), PCBs=94.1–100% (n=51) and HBCDs=79–98% (n=48). Consistently, >90% of the observed ∑8PBDE concentration was attributed to BDE-209. Mean PBDE levels (ng/g dry wt.) were: 4.4±3.2 (∑8PBDE) and 4.4±3.0 (BDE-209) across 22 sampling sites. The mean ∑7PCB and ∑HBCD were 5.4±4.5 and 1.0±1.5ng/g dry wt. respectively. The 25% (α-HBCD), 8% (β-HBCD) and 67% (γ-HBCD) diastereoisomer contributions observed were consistent with values reported in the literature. Contaminant levels are fairly distributed along the River and were generally low compared to similar studies around the world.

Ecostatus of Ulhas estuary, one of the most polluted estuaries along the industrialized and urbanized northwest coast of India, was evaluated by six widely accepted benthic indices viz. H′(log2), AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX, BOPA and BO2A to test their efficiency in a tropical setting. The mesohaline zone, which presented eutrophic conditions, was classified as ‘bad’ by all indices due to the azoic status. Despite significant correlations obtained between indices, there were discrepancies in the accurate level of EcoQS assigned to each station. AMBI was observed to be most efficient in indicating a clear spatial variability from a ‘poor’ to ‘bad’ ecological quality status in the middle and upstream zones to an improved status in the downstream region. Limitations of all indices are discussed in light of their suitability for assessing the estuarine environmental condition. The present results could provide a fillip to environmental improvement initiatives currently being undertaken in the estuary.

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were evaluated in shallow sediments, water, fish and seabird samples from the Cispata Bay, Colombia. The heavy metals concentrations in the sediment was in the following order: Cu>Pb>Hg>Cd. The heavy metal concentration was different (p<0.05) in juvenile and adult birds. High concentrations of mercury were registered in the seabird (10.19±4.99mgkg−1) and fish (0.67μgg−1) samples. The total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 7.0–41ngg−1 in sediment, 0.03–0.34ngmL−1 in water samples, 53.24ngg−1 in fish, and 66ngg−1 in seabirds. The high concentrations of heavy metals in seabirds may be explained by their feeding habits. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Cispata Bay may be due to hydrocarbon spills during oil transport at the nearby oil port.

Due to limited samples and low-resolution analysis, conflicting findings on major polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and their origins remain in the East China Sea (ECS). Based on high-resolution sampling and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, 72 surface sediment samples from the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent ECS shelf were determined to characterize 39 PCB congeners. PCBs (∑39PCBs) ranged from 0.003 to 16.18ng/g dw, presenting a decreasing seaward trend. Tri-, tetra- and penta-CBs were the main components, accounting for >64% of ∑39PCBs in most samples. Tetra-CBs were the dominant congeners, corresponding to results of sediments from Changjiang middle reach and soils from Changjiang Delta. Comparison between PCBs and sediment properties indicated there may be a deposition boundary of 30°N. In the north, the spatial distribution of PCBs is controlled by Changjiang input and hydrodynamic conditions, while in the south closely related to combination of local source and riverine input.

Here we characterized wet deposition National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) species and Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) dry deposited particle and gas species across New York over the last 2-3 decades. In addition measurements of NH3 from the Ammonia Monitoring Network (AMoN) were analyzed. In general decreasing annual trends are observed for wet deposition SO42− and NO3− species and dry deposited particle SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ as well as gas phase SO2 and HNO3 consistent with reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions. Wet deposited NH4+ however does not show consistent trends with most sites showing little trend across the region and an indication that levels at some sites maybe increasing. NH3 concentrations also appear to be increasing although the data record is only 8 years. Base cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+ show some decreases in the 1980s but concentrations are relatively uniform since the mid-1990s. Na+ and K+ show large year to year variations, by more than an order of magnitude for Na+ due to influence of marine air at a near coastal site. In general there was a balance between the sum of cations and the sum of anions earlier in the record but the tendency has been for a cation excess in the more recent 5–10 years. Understanding the deposition of reduced nitrogen species is likely to be of concern for the foreseeable future. Such data are important in understanding acidification recovery in response to emission controls.

This field study is intended to propose a global methodology to assess and monitor the water quality of the gulf of Morbihan, a littoral ecosystem under increasing anthropic pressure. To this end, the Locmariaquer site, where Crassostrea gigas is extensively cultivated, was selected to perform a one-year follow-up of tissular glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase specific activities in this filter feeder organism. Calculation of an integrated index, corresponding to the ratio of the two enzymes activities, allowed to discriminate from the environmental noise, several clusters which could be representative environmental stress, potentially latent pollution. Moreover, the estrogenic activity was assessed in water samples collected at Locmariaquer and other strategic sites of the gulf. The results evidenced a low estrogenic-disrupting compound contamination of waters. Overall, this methodology produced an accurate outlook of a basal state for the gulf and could be developed in the context of a chronic monitoring of this site.

We investigated 400 individual fish of four North Sea species: Atlantic Herring, Sprat, Common Dab, and Whiting on ingestion of >20μm microplastic. Strict quality assurance criteria were followed in order to control contamination during the study. Two plastic particles were found in only 1 (a Sprat) out of 400 individuals (0.25%, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.09–1.1%). The particles were identified to consist of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) through FTIR spectroscopy. No contamination occurred during the study, showing the method applied to be suitable for microplastic ingestion studies in biota. We discuss the low particle count for North Sea fish with those in other studies and suggest a relation between reported particle count and degree of quality assurance applied. Microplastic ingestion by fish may be less common than thought initially, with low incidence shown in this study, and other studies adhering to strict quality assurance criteria.

The soundscapes of four bays along the Kona Coast of Hawaii Island were monitored between January 2011 and March 2013. Equivalent, unweighted sound pressure levels within standard 1/3rd-octave bands (dB re: 1μPa) were calculated for each recording. Sound levels increased at night and were lowest during the daytime when spinner dolphins use the bays to rest. A tsunami provided an opportunity to monitor the soundscape with little anthropogenic component. We detected a decrease in sound levels and variability in one of the busiest bays. During the daytime in the 3.15kHz 1/3rd octave band, we detected 92 loud outliers from vessels, aquaculture, and military mid-frequency active sonar. During one military mid-frequency active sonar event sound levels reached 45.8dB above median ambient noise levels. The differences found in the bays illustrate the importance of understanding soundscapes to effectively manage noise pollution in marine ecosystems.

Water and sediment samples were collected from northern coast of Oman Sea covering from Goatr to Hormoz canyon seaport. Water and sediment quality assessment for naturally or anthropogenic radionuclides at Oman Sea as a main strategic golf for trade and transit, is an important issue. Correspondence analysis (CA) by R-mode analysis represents that sigma(T)-temperature-conductivity-O2 parameters are well-correlated with 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. Accordingly Q-mode analysis revealed an indicator samples of ST13W for different radionuclides, ST03W for O2, and simultaneously ST34W-ST21W-ST08W-ST04W for sigma(T) parameters. The CA results overlapped with factor and cluster analysis results that explained 85.8% of total variance of water samples. Descriptive analysis of sediments indicates more significant variation than water samples. The 232Th and 226Ra generally showing that ST13D to ST25D sediments that restricted to Pi Bashk coastline are concentrated from 137Cs and 40K. By comparison with reference-values from Iran and other parts of the world, they are acceptable with respect to environmental and radioisotope hazards.

Barrow's goldeneyes are sea ducks that winter throughout coastal British Columbia (BC). Their diet consists primarily of intertidal blue mussels, which can accumulate PAHs; accordingly, goldeneyes may be susceptible to exposure through contaminated prey. In 2014/15, we examined total PAH concentrations in mussels from undeveloped and developed coastal areas of BC. At those same sites, we used EROD to measure hepatic CYP1A induction in goldeneyes. We found higher mussel PAH concentrations at developed coastal sites. Regionally, goldeneyes from southern BC, which has relatively higher coastal development, had higher EROD activity compared to birds from northern BC. Our results suggest goldeneyes wintering in coastal BC were exposed to PAHs through diet, with higher exposure among birds wintering in coastal areas with greater anthropogenic influence. These results suggest the mussel-goldeneye system is suitable as a natural, multi-trophic-level indicator of contemporary hydrocarbon contamination occurrence and exposure useful for establishing oil spill recovery endpoints.