This project was carried out to assess the levels and spatial distribution of organochlorine compounds in the coastal marine environment, using mussels as bioindicators to evaluate the coastal water quality. Levels of polychlorobiphenils (PCB), chlorinated pesticides (DDT isomers, HCH isomers, Aldrin, Dieldrin, alfa-Endosulfan, Hexachlorobenzene, Pentachlorobenzene) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in tissues from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected along the Apulia Region coasts (Mediterranean Sea). Results indicate that contamination by organochlorine compounds is higher in mussels sampled in the Ionian Sea than in those from the Adriatic Sea, with PCB levels up to seven times higher in mussels from Ionian than from the Adriatic Sea. Although PCB levels were above the maximum values indicated by both European Community (EC) and National regulation in several sample sites, the PCB concentrations were particularly high in some stations, suggesting that these locations require a much specific attention. Conversely, results on the mussel contamination by PBDEs highlight their ubiquitous environmental distribution, and underline the need to establish the maximum level for these compounds in foodstuff, according to European Regulations.

Anthropogenic debris is ubiquitous in the marine environment and has been reported to negatively impact hundreds of species globally. Seabirds are particularly at risk from entanglement in debris due to their habit of collecting food and, in many cases, nesting material off the ocean’s surface. We compared the prevalence and composition of debris in nests and along the beach at two Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) colonies on Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, a remote area known to contain high densities of debris transported by ocean currents. The proportion of nests with debris varied across islands (range 3–31%), likely in response to the availability of natural nesting materials. Boobies exhibited a preference for debris colour (white and black), but not type. The ephemeral nature of Brown Booby nests on Ashmore Reef may limit their utility as indicators of marine pollution, however monitoring is recommended in light of increasing demand for plastic products.

A regional chemical transport model was implemented to simulate the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10) concentration in order to study the impact of long–range transport of air pollutants over megacity Delhi with due consideration to different geographical domains extending up to entire Asia and corresponding emissions. PM10 concentration levels over megacity Delhi remain persistently high, often exceeding the ambient air quality standards. A chemical transport model namely Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model Version 3.2 coupled with chemistry module (WRF/Chem) was utilized with nested domains for this purpose, subsequent to model evaluation for the period during June, 2010 that includes extremely high PM10 concentrations. A highly satisfactory model performance was interpreted based on the several statistical parameters as per the current state of the science and their recommended values. Based on model simulations representing different geographical domains encompassing Asia, India, North India and Delhi and their corresponding emissions, it was clearly reflected that contributions due to emissions of the megacity Delhi alone is 11%–41% and thus remaining (59%–89%) proportion is expected to be contributed from the sources outside of the Delhi region which is significant. It is demonstrated that the WRF/Chem model performs well for a sub–tropical urban airshed though there is scope of improvement for the consistent under– prediction with more refined emission inventories. Nevertheless, this model could be implemented to assess the long– range transport of pollutants so as to adequately address the influence of the remote sources outside the urban airshed. This can serve as an important tool towards planning and implementing the regulatory policies for air pollution control for more effective outcomes.

Real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was used at four marine bathing beaches in New Jersey as part of a demonstration project to evaluate the potential for use of qPCR as part of a routine beach monitoring program. Split sample analyses for Enterococcus spp. using membrane filtration (MF) and qPCR were performed for 11weeks during the summer of 2011 using swimming advisories based on qPCR results. Comparison of qPCR and MF results from split samples indicated that there was an 82% overall agreement rate between the two methods. Results from the qPCR tests were available by noon the same day of sample collection and swimming advisories were posted on a dedicated website. The qPCR method can be more labor intensive and requires a higher level of training to perform, however, qPCR was able to assess beach water quality in a timelier manner compared to conventional MF techniques.

The sorption behaviour of estrone (E1) on marine sediments treated by different methods was systematically investigated. About 22h was required for sorption equilibrium of E1. Sorption isotherms of E1 were well fitted with Freundlich model. The sorption behaviour of E1 on HCl-treatment and H2O-treatment sediments related significantly with the sediment organic carbon contents. Additionally, clay minerals and surface areas of sediments played dominant roles in the sorption of E1 on H2O2-treatment sediments. Some external factors which could affect sorption behaviour of E1 were also investigated. Our results showed that the sorption capacity of E1 on the sediments increased with the increasing concentrations of cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan esters (Tween 80) and salinity of seawater. In contrast, the sorption capacity of E1 decreased with the increasing concentration of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), pH value and temperature of seawater.

Hydroides elegans, a worldwide fouling polychaete, can spawn throughout the year, but its recruitment drops during summer when hypoxia prevails. Here, the influence of hypoxia on larval development and settlement of H. elegans was investigated. Results showed that larval development was compromised at 1mg O2 l−1 with a lower proportion of competent larvae and a higher proportion of malformed larvae, probably due to reduction in clearance rate. Regarding larval settlement, although most of the larvae were reluctant to settle at 1mg O2 l−1, regardless of the biofilm nature, they settled quickly within 24h in response to the resumption of dissolved oxygen. Furthermore, only about 5% of the larvae settled on the biofilms developed under hypoxia, regardless of dissolved oxygen levels of the seawater. The delayed larval development and potential alteration of biofilm nature owing to hypoxia explained why the recruitment of H. elegans declines during summer.

We present the first evidence of ingestion of plastic by seabirds from the southern Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. The occurrence of marine debris ingestion in the wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacifica, on Heron Island was the focus of this preliminary research. Our findings indicate that 21% of surveyed chicks are fed plastic fragments by their parents, having ingested 3.2 fragments on average. The most common colours of ingested plastic fragments were off/white (37.5%) and green (31.3%). Ingested fragments had a mean size of 10.17±4.55mm and a mean weight of 0.056±0.051g. Our results indicate that further research is critical to understanding the extent of ingestion, colour preferences, and what impacts ingestion may have on these and other seabird populations in the GBR.

The bioaccumulation of organochlorines (OCs) in the muscle tissue of sea-run (anadromous) and freshwater-resident (fluvial) white-spotted charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) was determined to assess the ecological risk related to intraspecies variations in diadromous fish life history as they migrate between sea and freshwater. Generally, there were significant correlations between the accumulation of OCs such as DDTs, HCB, HCHs and CHLs. In addition, various biological characteristics, such as total length (TL), body weight (BW) and age, and number of downstream migration (NDM) were correlated. A positive correlation occurred between the lipid content and the OC concentrations. Close linear relationships were found between TL, BW and NDM and the lipid content. Although they are both the same species, the OCs concentrations in the anadromous fish were significantly higher than those in the fluvial individuals. These results suggest that anadromous S. leucomaenis have a higher ecological risk for OCs exposure than the fluvial fish.

As part of a continuing toxic microalgae monitoring program, phytoplankton samples were collected on 16–17 August 2012 at several sampling sites in the southern part of the Bahía de La Paz. A bloom of the dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides was detected. Abundance of C. polykrikoides ranged from 73 to 276×103cellsL−1 on the first day to 980–1425×103cellsL−1 on the second day. Study of live specimens showed great variation in cell size and form, mainly as single cells or chains of two cells. Live cells were 30–47μm long and 20–35μm wide (n=30). Seawater temperature during the bloom was 29–30°C. Low densities of Cochlodinium convolutum, Cochlodinium helicoides, and Cochlodinium shuettii were also found in the samples of the bloom event. These high densities of C. polykrikoides did not lead to fish die-offs in the bay.