This study determined the effect of monsoonal changes on the composition of atmospheric surfactants in coastal areas. The composition of anions (SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, F−) and the major elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na) in aerosols were used to determine the possible sources of surfactants. Surfactant compositions were determined using a colorimetric method as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The anion and major element compositions of the aerosol samples were determined by ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results indicated that the concentrations of surfactant in aerosols were dominated by MBAS (34–326pmolm−3). Monsoonal changes were found to significantly affect the concentration of surfactants. Using principal component analysis-multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), major possible sources for surfactants in the aerosols were motor vehicle emissions, secondary aerosol and the combustion of biomass along with marine aerosol.

This study was conducted to measure the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and evaluate the distribution, sources in surface sediments from various coastal sites in Weihai, which create good conditions for rapid development because of their excellent geographical location and abundant marine resources. The results indicated that the total PAHs contents in the sediments of Weihai ranged from 2.69 to 166.50ngg−1, with an average of 67.44ngg−1. Phenanthrene, Fluoranthene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Chrysene, and Pyrene were dominant in sediments, primarily as a result of high temperature combustion and biomass. Molecular ratios suggested that these PAHs in the sediments of Weihai were predominantly from pyrogenic sources such as grass, wood and charcoal combustion, as well as engine exhaust which is similar to the result of the study of the Yellow River Delta, China. The result of probability risk assessment additionally elucidated low PAH ecological risk in the surface sediments of Weihai, China.

Fourteen surveys were conducted at Farallon De Medinilla (a U.S. Department of Defense bombing range in the Mariana Archipelago) between 1997 and 2012; annual surveys were conducted from 1999 through 2012. There was no evidence that the condition of the biological resources assessed had changed, or been adversely impacted to a significant degree by the training activities being conducted there. Restricted access has resulted in a de-facto preserve effect and outweighs minor negative impacts from training. The health, abundance and biomass of fishes, corals and other marine resources are comparable to or superior to those in similar habitats at other locations within the Mariana Archipelago. Our research suggests that the greatest threat to FDM's marine resources is from fishermen, not military training activities.

As an essential component of the Earth-atmosphere system, aerosols have important impacts on the atmospheric environment and human health. Based on the data sourced from Landsat 8 satellite images, the goal of this paper is to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the Beijing area by means of the MODIS Dark Target (DT) Method and the visible near-infrared (VNIR) atmospheric correction method (ACM), of which the accuracy is verified by observation data from AERONET. Furthermore, analysis was conducted to assess the effects of the two specific inversion methods on AOD values and AOD distribution characteristics in Beijing. The results indicate the following: 1) both the DT method and the VNIR method can be used successfully in the inversion of AOD in Beijing with Landsat 8 satellite data, while the DT method generates a slightly higher accuracy than that of the VNIR method, in which the root mean squared error (RMSE) values are 0.195 and 0.282, respectively; 2) AOD distribution in Beijing is presented with significant regional features, in which the areas with high AOD values were mainly concentrated in six districts (Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Fengtai, Haidian, and Shijingshan) and their surrounding areas. In addition, the AOD values are relatively low in the southwestern and northern regions of Beijing, which was mainly due to minor impacts of human activity and transportation.

The concentrations of ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were measured at two mountainous sites in Buk-Han (BH) and Gwan-Ak (GA) and at a reference site in Gwang-Jin (GJ), all in Seoul, South Korea, over a four-year period (2010–2013). The mean concentration (ppb) of NOx was comparable at the mountainous sites (22.9 ± 20.7 (BH) and 20.9 ± 16.9 (GA)) but about half the concentration at the reference site in GJ (47.8 ± 36.4). In contrast, the mean value (ppb) for O3 at the three sites exhibited a reversed pattern such as 40.2 ± 19.7 at GA, 28.6 ± 15.4 at BH, and 21.8 ± 18.3 at GJ. The concentration of NOx was higher in winter/fall relative to summer/spring at all three sites. Like the clear distinctions observed from the spatial distribution patterns, the seasonal trends conrasted sharply between NOx and O3. Results of a correlation analysis suggested that the distribution of O3 was significantly affected by meteorological parameters (e.g., TEMP, UV, and solar radiation). According to a back trajectory analysis, the highest O3 levels at both mountainous sites were caused by air masses passing over marine areas, while the effects of ozone precursors on ozone concentration were attributed to air masses originating from China and/or the mainland (S. Korea).

Levels, sources, and potential ecological risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface seawater and sediments from the northern Liaodong Bay of China were seasonally investigated. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 145.96ng/L to 896.58ng/L in seawater, and from 191.99ng/g to 624.44ng/g in sediments. PAH concentrations in seawater differed significantly, whereas those in sediments exhibited a relatively stable pattern across seasons. PAHs with low molecular weight were predominant in seawater, but PAHs with high molecular weight were abundant in sediments. Crop straw and coal combustion were the main PAH pollution sources. The current levels of PAHs in the northern Liaodong Bay are relatively moderate compared with those in other bays and estuaries. Sediment from all sampling sites is characterized by low to medium ecotoxicological risk. No highly negative toxic effect could occur on the organisms and ecosystems in the northern Liaodong Bay.

A method to integrate the environmental risk of the multiple effects from uses and activities developed in harbor areas is presented. Consequences are considered as the effects derived from all identified hazards. Vulnerability is expressed in terms of functional relations between environmental susceptibility against a disturbance and the state of protection of the receptors at risk. Consequences and vulnerability are integrated obtaining a spatial variation of risk: prioritization maps. The maps are developed by 4 main stages: (1) environmental hazard identification; (2) estimation of the consequences; (3) estimation of vulnerability and, (4) integration of environmental risks. To adapt prioritization maps to the peculiarities of the study area, three different methods for the integration of the effects are proposed: average-value, worst-case and weighted methods. The implementation to a real case (Tarragona harbor, NE Spain) confirms its usefulness as a risk analysis tool to communicate and support water quality management in harbors.

Southeast Asia is the global centre of mangrove development but human activities have dramatically reduced mangrove area in the region. An analysis is made of the shift in carbon and nitrogen influxes into the South China Sea (SCS) resulting from three anthropogenic nutrient sources: domestic sewage discharge, fertilizer use in rice agriculture and environmental loss from mariculture, between 1997 and 2010. Anthropogenic C and N influxes were, respectively, 1.81× and 1.43× those in 1997, with coastal aquaculture contributing most to the increase. In contrast, fringing mangroves provided ~44% of the C but only ~3% of the N from anthropogenic sources in 2010. In 1997, influx from mangroves was 113% and 6% of anthropogenic influx for C and N, respectively. This dominance by relatively labile anthropogenic nutrients over mangrove sources would change nearshore trophodynamics, with negative implications for the resilience of mangroves and nutrient-intolerant systems such as corals.

The Baixada Santista, besides being an important estuarine system, is responsible for most of the international trade and economic development in the region because of the Santos Port and the Cubatão Industrial Complex. The aim of this study is to assess heavy metal contamination of the Santos São Vicente Estuary using enrichment factors (EFs) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Thus, superficial sediment samples were subjected to acid digestion and analyzed (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, V, and Zn) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results indicated an absence of contamination, with the EFs indicating moderate enrichment. As and Pb presented higher enrichment probably due to the natural processes of weathering and sedimentation, and the influence of human activity. This conjoint analysis showed that potentially polluting activities are of concern as the highest values converge near the Cubatão Industrial Complex, which correspond to intense urbanization and industrial activity.

Parallel studies on organic and elemental carbon in PM1 and PM2.5 aerosols and in wet deposition in various forms of its occurrence were conducted in the urbanised coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. The carbon load introduced into the sea water was mainly affected by the form of precipitation. Dry deposition load of carbon was on average a few orders of magnitude smaller than wet deposition. The suspended organic carbon was more effectively removed from the air with rain than snow, while an inverse relationship was found for elemental carbon. However the highest flux of water insoluble organic carbon was recorded in precipitation of a mixed nature. The atmospheric cleaning of highly dissolved organic carbon was observed to be the most effective on the first day of precipitation, while the hydrophobic elemental carbon was removed more efficiently when the precipitation lasted longer than a day.