We conducted a large-scale investigation of methylmercury (MeHg) in a total of 628 marine wild fish covering 46 different species collected from the South China Sea between 2008 and 2009. Biological and ecological characteristics such as size (length and wet weight), feeding habit, habitat, and stable isotope (δ15N) were examined to explain MeHg bioaccumulation in marine fish and their geographical distribution. MeHg levels in the muscle tissues of the 628 individuals ranged from 0.010 to 1.811μg/gdrywt. Log10MeHg concentration was significantly related to their length and wet weight. Feeding habit and habitat were the primary factors influencing MeHg bioaccumulation. Demersal fish were more likely to be contaminated with MeHg than the epipelagic and mesopelagic varieties. Linear relationships were obtained between Log10(MeHg) and δ15N only for one location, indicating that biomagnification was site-specific. Results from this study suggest that dietary preference and trophic structure were the main factors affecting MeHg bioaccumulation in marine fish from the South China Sea.

As part of a continuing toxic microalgae monitoring program, 22 phytoplankton samples were collected from July to November 2010 at several sampling stations along the southern coast of the Baja California Peninsula. For the first time, the toxic dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was found along the southeastern and southwestsern coasts of the peninsula. P. bahamense var. bahamense was first observed off San José del Cabo, which is an extension of the range of this variety. Both varieties occur as solitary cells. P. bahamense var. compressum occurred at temperatures ranging between 24.5°C and 31°C, whereas var. P.bahamense occurred at 28.5°C to 29°C, indicating its tropical and subtropical nature. Occurrence of P. bahamense var. compressum along this coastline may be related to El Niño 2009–2010.

L'evaluation des risques pour la sante et l'environnement lies a differents types d'exposition tels que la pollution de l'air, necessite d'elargir les activites de surveillance de l'environnement. En milieu urbain, le trafic automobile devient la principale source d'emission de polluants entrainant dans les periodes de fort ensoleillement l'elevation des niveaux l'ozone qui peuvent quelquefois depasser les valeurs reglementaires. Il est donc important de connaitre sa distribution au niveau d'une agglomeration. L'utilisation d'un bioindicateur vegetal, le tabac Bel-W3, particulierement sensible a l'ozone, a permis d'etudier et de realiser la cartographie des differents niveaux d'ozone en juin, juillet et aout 1996 sur la Communaute Urbaine du Grand Nancy. En juin, periode caracteristique d'ensoleillement prolonge accompagnee d'un trafic urbain dense, l'etude cartographique montre une repartition concentrique autour du noyau urbain. La presence d'ozone la plus elevee se rencontre a la peripherie de l'agglomeration, particulierement au nord-est de Nancy-ville, ou le panache de pollution de la ville se deplace sous l'influence des vents dominants, et a l'ouest ou le relief accentue favorise l'accumulation de polluants.