Effects of two chemical forms of Nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−) on δ15N in Ulva lactuca were analysed separately and in mixture at two concentrations. We assessed whether the δ15N values of U. lactuca discriminate between Nitrogen from synthetic fertilisers (inorganic) and from fresh cow manure (organic), and the isotopic ability of the macroalga to reflect Nitrogen concentrations. Isotopic signature and N content of the macroalga reflected different nitrogenous sources and their concentrations after 48h. The inorganic Nitrogen source (NH4NO3) altered the isotopic values of the macroalgae more than Nitrogen from fresh cow manure (NO3−). δ15N values observed in the mixed solution did not differ from those displayed in NH4NO3 treatment alone. We conclude that stable isotope analysis of U. lactuca collected in an unpolluted site and experimentally submerged in sites suspected of being affected by disturbance is a useful tool for rapid monitoring of anthropogenic discharges of Nitrogen pollutants.

The silverside Odontesthes argentinensis is an economically significant resource for commercial fisheries in South America. We evaluated the presence of trace elements in the stomach content and fish tissues (muscle and otoliths) of O. argentinensis. In addition, we assessed the presence of trace elements in its prey (zooplankton) and in seawater in a coastal temperate area. The most abundant trace elements found in the water, zooplankton, stomach content, and fish tissues (muscle and otoliths) constituted of Ba, Mn, Sr and Zn, while Cd, Cu and Pb were observed in lower concentrations. We concluded that O. argentinensis specimens captured from the environment, within the length range analyzed for muscle samples (total length: <21cm), are deemed fit for human consumption because the concentrations of trace elements mostly meet the standards established in the Argentine Food Code. The information obtained in this study is vital for O. argentinensis farming in closed systems.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in the surface sediments collected in August 2015 in Sanggou Bay, China. The total concentrations of 13 PBDEs, including BDE-17, -28, -47, -66, -71, -85, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and -190, and concentrations of BDE-209 were 0.223–1.259ng/g and 0.865–9.275ng/g, respectively. The PBDE levels increased from the outer bay to the inner bay. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, followed by BDE-47, BDE-71, and BDE-99. Significant positive correlations were observed for tri-BDEs with organic carbon (r=0.598, p<0.05) and with clay content (r=0.592, p<0.05). Principal component analysis revealed that PBDEs in Sanggou Bay were mainly derived from the usage, dismantling and degradation of commercial products (penta-, octa-, and deca-BDEs), which were then transported through continental runoff and atmospheric deposition. The ecological risks were mainly attributed to deca-BDE congeners with moderate risk level.

There is an urgent need to quantify coral reef benchmarks that assess changes and recovery rates through time and serve as goals for management. Yet, few studies have identified benchmarks for hard coral cover and diversity in the center of marine diversity. In this study, we estimated coral cover and generic diversity benchmarks on the Tubbataha reefs, the largest and best-enforced no-take marine protected area in the Philippines. The shallow (2–6m) reef slopes of Tubbataha were monitored annually, from 2012 to 2015, using hierarchical sampling. Mean coral cover was 34% (σ±1.7) and generic diversity was 18 (σ±0.9) per 75m by 25m station. The southeastern leeward slopes supported on average 56% coral cover, whereas the northeastern windward slopes supported 30%, and the western slopes supported 18% coral cover. Generic diversity was more spatially homogeneous than coral cover.

The present study was conducted to assess the trace element concentration in marine surface sediments after major flood event of Chennai metropolis, India. Thirty surface samples were collected from off Chennai coast. Trace elements, organic matter, CaCO3, sand-silt-clay and C/N ratios were studied to understand the accumulation dynamics on sediments. The elemental concentration, calcium carbonate and OM distribution suggest that they are derived from urban runoff and transported through Adyar and Cooum Rivers. The enrichment factor reveals that the sediments are enriched by Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni followed by Fe. The observed Igeo value shows that the samples are contaminated by Pb, Cu and Zn. The elemental concentration of the surface sediments is low when compared to other coastal region except Pb. The elevated level of Pb in the surface sediments is probably due to migration of contaminated urban soil from industrial and transportation sectors into marine environment.

Babitonga Bay is a large estuary, which has been under pressure from anthropogenic activities coexisting with a natural area of Atlantic rainforest and mangrove systems. The concentration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was determined to evaluate the contamination status and the determine possible pollution sources in the estuary. The ∑DDT (sum of DDT, DDE and DDD concentrations) was the predominant OCP group, with concentrations ranging from <DL (below detection limit) to 122ng g−1. The exceptionally high concentration of p,p′-DDT (80%) found near São Francisco harbour exceeded SQG limits indicating highly toxic conditions in the area that may be attributed to a recent contamination from some local input. In contrast, other sites in the estuary presented higher concentration of the metabolite p,p′-DDE (34%). The results suggest strongly anthropogenic impact in specific sites of this estuary, which need further investigation.

Marine debris' transboundary nature and new strategies to identify sources and sinks in coastal areas were investigated along the Paranaguá estuarine gradient (southern Brazil), through integration of hydrodynamic modelling, ground truthing estimates and regressive vector analysis. The simulated release of virtual particles in different parts of the inner estuary suggests a residence time shorter than 5days before being exported through the estuary mouth (intermediate compartment) to the open ocean. Stranded litter supported this pathway, with beaches in the internal compartment presenting proportionally more items from domestic sources, while fragmented items with unknown sources were proportionally more abundant in the oceanic beaches. Regressive vector analysis reinforced the inner estuarine origin of the stranded litter in both estuarine and oceanic beaches. These results support the applicability of simple hydrodynamic models to address marine debris' transboundary issues in the land-sea transition zone, thus supporting an ecosystem transboundary (and not territorial) management approach.

The present study aims to define the possible sources that contribute to the level of Pb into the Brunei Bay, Borneo. The cluster analysis has classified the bay into the northern part with heavy and agriculture-related industries; the southern area with a moderate rural human settlement as well as the southwestern area with a more pristine environment and a low level of human settlement. The score plot of spatial discriminant analysis verified a significant influence of the river system toward the estuary, whereas the temporal discriminant analysis has discriminated the seasonal changes. In comparison to elsewhere, the stable Pb isotopic ratios in Brunei Bay showed a fingerprint similar to coal-related sources and of aerosol input. Briefly, even though Pb in the Brunei Bay ecosystem proved to be at a low level, the stable Pb isotopic ratios showed that human and industrial activities are slowly contributing Pb into the bay ecosystem.

Successful reproduction and larval dispersal are important for the persistence of marine invertebrate populations, and these early life history processes can be sensitive to marine pollution. Coal is emerging as a contaminant of interest due to the proximity of ports and shipping lanes to coral reefs. To assess the potential hazard of this contaminant, gametes, newly developed embryos, larvae and juveniles of the coral Acropora tenuis were exposed to a range of coal leachate, suspended coal, and coal smothering treatments. Fertilisation was the most sensitive reproductive process tested. Embryo survivorship decreased with increasing suspended coal concentrations and exposure duration, effects on larval settlement varied between treatments, while effects on juvenile survivorship were minimal. Leachate exposures had negligible effects on fertilisation and larval settlement. These results indicate that coral recruitment could be affected by spills that produce plumes of suspended coal particles which interact with gametes and embryos soon after spawning.