Here we present the large-scale distribution of microplastic contamination in beach sediment across Europe. Sediment samples were collected from 23 locations across 13 countries by citizen scientists, and analysed using a standard operating procedure. We found significant variability in the concentrations of microplastics, ranging from 72±24 to 1512±187 microplastics per kg of dry sediment, with high variability within sampling locations. Three hotspots of microplastic accumulation (>700 microplastics per kg of dry sediment) were found. There was limited variability in the physico-chemical characteristics of the plastics across sampling locations. The majority of the microplastics were fibrous, <1mm in size, and blue/black in colour. In addition, using Raman spectrometry we identified particles as polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Our research is the first large spatial-scale analysis of microplastics on European beaches giving insights into the nature and extent of the microplastic challenge.

This study focuses on creating baseline for 238U, 235U, 234U, 210Pb, 210Po and 40K concentrations in the northern Arabian Gulf. The respective concentration ranges were 0.047–0.050, 0.00186–0.00198, 0.054–0.057, 0.00085–0.00092, 0.00051–0.00062 and 18.6–19.1Bql−1. These results suggest that the levels are generally comparable to other marine waters in the northern hemisphere. There were no hot spots observed from oil and gas industry. These data will serve as a baseline to gauge possible future inputs of TENORMs in the northern Gulf. A positive and linear correlation was observed between 238,234U, 40K isotopes and seawater salinity. The results also suggest significant fractionation between 210Po and 210Pb, attributed to rapid removal of 210Po by biota compared to 210Pb. The mean residence time for 210Po in the study area was 371days. The 234U/238U and 238U/235U activity ratios in seawater samples vary between 1.14–1.15, and 0.038–0.040. The 234U/238U and 235U/238U ratio is similar to the expected composition of seawater (1.148±0.002) and 0.0462.

PM1 aerosol, collected during winter campaign in urban area situated close to a large automobile factory, was analysed on content of selected organic compounds, namely monosaccharide anhydrides, diterpenoids (including retene and resin acids), n-alkanes (including pristane and phytane), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including picene), monosaccharides, disaccharides, polyols, hopanes and steranes.Monosaccharide anhydrides (MAs, markers for biomass burning) were the most abundant organic compounds (the mean sum of concentration of 513 ng m−3). The sum of MAs constituted in average 70.0% of the mass of all analysed organic compounds and 1.91% of the PM1 mass. Diterpenoids, markers for softwood combustion, were the second most abundant analysed organic compounds (the mean concentration of 119 ng m−3). The mean concentrations of other studied organic compounds were smaller, namely saccharides 31.6 ng m−3, n-alkanes, including isoprenoids 35.3 ng m−3, PAHs 15.6 ng m−3 and hopanes, including one sterane 1.54 ng m−3.Combustion of solid fuels (coal and wood) for household heating was the dominant emission source of carbonaceous aerosols sampled during the campaign. The composition of aerosols collected in the studied locality was affected by local emissions and also by regional transport of polluted air from small villages nearby Mladá Boleslav.Two unit risks (WHO and CalEPA) were applied for the estimation of carcinogenic risk of PAHs exposure. The computed lifetime cancer risk at the studied locality during the campaign period was 1.93 × 10−4 (WHO unit risk) and 2.43 × 10−6 (CalEPA unit risk) on average. However, the real cancer risk for the lifetime exposure (70 years) is lower at the studied locality because our measurement lasted only 2 weeks in winter when the concentrations of PAHs were higher than in other seasons of the year.

We report blood and feather concentrations of elements in the Baltic Sea and Arctic population of common eiders (Somateria mollissima). The endangered Baltic Sea population of eiders was demonstrably affected by element pollution in the 1990s. While blood concentrations of Hg were higher in Baltic breeding eiders, blood Se, As and Cd concentrations were higher in Arctic eiders. Blood concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu did not differ between the two populations. While blood Pb concentrations had declined in Baltic eiders since the 1990s, Hg concentrations had not declined, and were above concentrations associated with adverse oxidative effects in other bird species. Inconsistent with blood concentrations, feather concentrations suggested that Pb, Zn, and Cd exposure was higher in Baltic eiders, and that Hg exposure was higher in Arctic eiders. Our study thus emphasizes the need for comprehensive evaluation of toxic element status, covering the annual cycle of a species.

The assessment here includes data on levels of contaminants (petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals) in sediments and biomonitor organisms, including the eulittoral rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata and subtidal biomonitors, the barnacle Balanus trigonus and the antipatharian coral Antipathes sp., at harbours, marinas, terminals and large ports along the coastline of Oman. TBT levels in harbour and port sediments up to a maximum of 100ppb TBT dry weight are highlighted. Oysters contained concentrations up to 367ppm mg TPH/kg dry weight. The maximum levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the subtidal sediments and barnacles at the oil tanker loading Single Buoy Mooring stations in Mina Al Fahal. In general, the levels of most of the contaminants analysed are at low to moderate concentrations compared to those in highly contaminated sites such as shipyards and dry docks, but continued monitoring is recommended especially during any dredging campaigns.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been detected around the globe in drinking water, in various media at release sites, in human blood serum, and in non-human biota tissue. These compounds are emerging contaminants due to the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, which is driven by advances in toxicological and risk assessment knowledge emanating from academia and government research organizations. A robust understanding of these developments is required to appreciate the basis, present state, and future direction of regulation and management of PFASs. This paper summarizes recent toxicological and ecological risk assessment information, ongoing research, and current guidelines governing PFASs for the protection of non-human biota.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: The paper is focused on the prioritization process in noise action plans. The available indicators (noise scores) and methodologies for defining hotspots are analysed and discussed. Indicators and methodologies are classified in order to highlight their suitability for different specific aims. RECENT FINDINGS: The revised annex II of the European Directive 2002/49/EC fixed population exposure and modelling issues leading to different approaches in the prioritization process. Unfortunately, the indicators for rating areas are not commonly defined and a validated procedure is still not recognized at EU level. Furthermore, the importance of considering annoyance in the mitigation process arose, and this paper summarizes the pros and cons of their use for the purpose of prioritization process. A recent attempt to combine annoyance evaluations with limits compliance in noise score for the priority definition is presented. The paper classifies various priority indicators basing on their inclusion of compliance limits compliance, annoyance or both. Then, the methods for merging index values at dwelling for hotspot identification are classified according to their approaches, particularly between those using geometrical approaches, or needing reference administrative areas. The paper highlights the suitability of each method to specific sources, contexts and aims of the prioritization process. Merging methods resulted necessary whenever the epidemiological study is not the aim of the calculation; indeed, the mitigation measures could be planned for delimited and prioritized areas and not directly derived from building noise scores.

Due to modern urbanization and rapid population growth, the nitrogen cycle has been significantly disturbed within differing ecosystems. Focusing specifically on imbalances present in an aquatic ecosystem, it is imperative that the wastewater engineering community addresses the need to conserve energy and resources better by developing more effective tools for application in wastewater treatment plants. The Academy of Engineers recently identified nitrogen cycle management as one of the 14 predominant challenges that engineers need to be addressing in the immediate future. This validates a definite sense of urgency to find practical solutions for implementation in wastewater treatment plants. In order to determine the best means for effective nitrogen cycle management, an in-depth examination of disturbances in the cycle provide an understanding of what is needed to resolve these issues. This article provides an in-depth discussion of past research, developments found in present studies, as well as providing potential strategies for improving the future of nitrogen cycle management.

Hypoxia is associated with mass mortality in estuaries, but a direct causal relationship has not been proven to date. This study aimed to demonstrate this relationship and to evaluate how the duration of hypoxia affects the survival of ark shells (Anadara kagoshimensis) using mathematical modeling. The dissolved oxygen concentration was monitored at two stations in the innermost area of Ariake Bay, Japan, to calculate the duration of hypoxia. This was then included in a mathematical model to simulate the population density with sequential computation. The population density decreased with prolonged hypoxia, reaching a value close to the observed population density, indicating that hypoxia is the main cause of mass mortality in ark shells. Furthermore, the ark shell population disappeared in 8days with constant hypoxia but persisted when hypoxia was alternated with normoxia every 6 h. Therefore, mass mortality is caused by the duration rather than the frequency of hypoxia.

Water accumulating in the bottom of ships (bilge water), contains a mixture of oil, detergents and other compounds from on board activities. To evaluate ecological effects of released bilge water the chemical composition and toxicity of treated bilge water from seven passenger ships was analysed. The oil content was below 15mgL−1, the threshold for legal discharge, in all but one ship. Still, significant reductions in feeding and reproduction of Acartia tonsa were found after 48h exposure in dilutions with 2.5–5% of bilge water. Mortality was significant at dilutions of 5–10% in 4 of the 5 bilge water samples. Surfactants were the most significant contributor to the toxicity on copepod vital rates and survival. Toxicity was also tested with Microtox where an EC50 was found at dilutions between 4.3% and 52%. The results show that ecological effects might occur also in diluted suspensions of bilge water.