The levels and distribution of tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) of surface sediments in the Yellow River Delta wetland had been investigated. The concentrations of TBC and ∑HBCDs ranged from 0.20 to 29.03ng·g−1dw and below limits of detections (LODs) to 20.25ng·g−1dw. The average composition profile of three HBCDs isomers were 10.1%, 6.1% and 83.8% for α-, β- and γ-HBCD, respectively. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated there are similar sources among three isomers and positive correlations between total organic carbon (TOC) content and concentrations of TBC and HBCDs. The mass inventory of TBC,α-, β-, γ-HBCD, ΣHBCDs in surface sediments of Yellow River Delta wetland were estimated about 725.50, 72.76, 44.29, 548.34, 665.39kg. Therefore, further investigations on potential human health and environmental risk assessments of TBC and HBCDs were needed.

Marine debris such as plastic fragments and fishing gears are accumulating in the ocean at alarming rates. This study assesses the incidence of debris in the gastrointestinal tracts of seabirds feeding at different depths and found stranded along the Brazilian coast in the period 2010–2013. More than half (55%) of the species analysed, corresponding to 16% of the total number of individuals, presented plastic particles in their gastrointestinal tracts. The incidence of debris was higher in birds feeding predominantly at intermediate (3–6m) and deep (20–100m) waters than those feeding at surface (<2m). These results suggest that studying the presence of debris in organisms mainly feeding at the ocean surface provides a limited view about the risks that this form of pollution has on marine life and highlight the ubiquitous and three-dimensional distribution of plastic in the oceans.

Ozone (O3) concentration, along with the concentrations of 10 precursors (acetone, toluene, ethylbenzene, benzene, xylenes, styrene, cyclohexane, NO, NO2, and CO), were measured and characterized at 16 locations in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, for the period of May through August 2012. The results showed that concentrations of all O3 precursors were high in central and industrial areas, owing mainly to road traffic volume and industrial emissions. Except for benzene, all pollutants featured a skewed distribution, which indicates that they might occasionally be influenced by contiguous sources of air pollution and/or by emissions from heavy air polluters. The benzene distribution does not follow this behavior, possibly due to the shortage of substantial stationary benzene emitters. Also, the considerable difference between the median and the mean of both xylene and toluene distributions suggests local emission impacts in Riyadh. O3 concentrations averaged 34.59 ± 24.17 ppb and were a maximum of 277.47 ppb, occasionally violating the 1-h national standard (120 ppb) and frequently exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

Marine caves are unique and vulnerable habitats, threatened by multiple global and local disturbances. Whilst the effects of climate change on marine caves have already been investigated, no information exists about the effects of local human impacts, such as coastal development, on these habitats. This study investigated the impact of the construction of a touristic harbour on two shallow underwater marine caves in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean). As a standard methodology for monitoring marine caves does not exist yet, changes over time on the benthic community were assessed adopting two different non-taxonomic descriptors: trophic guilds and growth forms. Harbour construction caused an increase of sediment load within the caves, with a consequent decline of filter feeder organisms. Abundance of small organisms, such as encrusting and flattened sponges, was greatly reduced in comparison to organisms with larger and erect growth forms, such as domed mounds and pedunculated sponges. Our study indicated that growth forms and trophic guilds are effective descriptors for evaluating changes over time in marine caves, and could be easily standardised and applied in monitoring plans. In addition, as the harbour construction impacted differently according to the cave topography, the use of a systematic sampling in different zones of an underwater cave is recommended.

Seabirds can interact with marine litter, mainly by entanglement or ingestion. The ingestion of plastics can lead to starvation or physical damage to the digestive tract. For chicks, it could additionally lead to reduced growth, affecting survival and fledging. This study quantified the ingestion of plastics by seabird chicks via an opportunistic sampling strategy. When ringing is carried out at colonies, birds may spontaneously regurgitate their stomach contents due to the stress or as a defence mechanism. Regurgitates were collected from nestlings of three different species: Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla, n=38), Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis, n=14) and Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo, n=28). Plastic was present in all species, with the highest frequency of occurrence (FO) in Northern Fulmar chicks (28.6%), followed by Black-legged Kittiwakes (7.9%) and Great Cormorants (7.1%). The observed load of plastics on chicks, which have not yet left the nest, highlights the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.

50 surface sediments were collected from Rizhao offshore area to determine heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg) pollution. High heavy metal values were located near the two ports in the north and south study areas, which was consistent with the distribution of fine-grained sediments. According to threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL), Cu and As had occasionally adverse biological effects on the aquatic ecosystems. The enrichment factor (EF) values showed that most of the study area was moderate or moderately severe enrichment for As, and minor enrichment for Pb, but Hg was only moderately enriched in the river estuaries. The sources of Cu, Zn and Cr were mainly influenced by natural weathering processes via the river inputs, whereas Pb, Cd and As were mainly derived from anthropogenic sources. Hg may have both natural and anthropogenic sources.

Exotic species invasions are serious ecological problems. Leaf construction cost (CC) and growth traits of two Sonneratia (Sonneratia caseolaris and S. apetala) and four native species (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina) in Hainan and Shenzhen mangrove wetlands were compared to evaluate invasive potentials of Sonneratia after introduced to Shenzhen, their new habitat. There were no significant differences in CC and growth traits between two wetlands, suggesting Sonneratia did not lose any advantage in the new habitat and were competitive in both wetlands. CC per unit mass (CCM), CC per unit area (CCA) and caloric values of Sonneratia were significantly lower than those of native mangrove species while specific leaf area (SLA) was just the opposite. CCM of S. caseolaris and S. apetala were 6.1% and 11.9% lower than those of natives, respectively. These findings indicated the invasive potential of Sonneratia in Shenzhen after their introduction.

The ability to calculate the oil droplet size distribution (DSD) and its dynamic behavior in the water column is important in oil spill modeling. Breaking waves disperse oil from a surface slick into the water column as droplets of varying sizes. Oil droplets undergo further breakup and coalescence in the water column due to the turbulence. Available models simulate oil DSD based on empirical/equilibrium equations. However, the oil DSD evolution due to subsequent droplet breakup and coalescence in the water column can be best represented by a dynamic population model. This paper develops a phenomenological model to calculate the oil DSD in wave breaking conditions and ocean turbulence and is based on droplet breakup and coalescence. Its results are compared with data from laboratory experiments that include different oil types, different weathering times, and different breaking wave heights. The model comparisons showed a good agreement with experimental data.

A comprehensive approach to chemical accumulation and biological effects of short-term Cu exposure in juveniles of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) has been achieved. Fish were exposed to 0.01–10mgL−1 nominal Cu concentrations for 24–96h. Metal concentrations in water and gills, liver, muscle and brain tissues were studied along with oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation). Induction of oxidative damage was observed in all the organs with differential antioxidant responses; gills appearing as the most sensitive from low environmentally water Cu concentrations as 0.01mgL−1. Histopathological alterations were also observed in liver and gills, even without a significant Cu accumulation.The results show that the combination of oxidative stress parameters, particularly lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activities, and histopathological alterations provide a good model fish and reliable early biomarkers for monitoring Cu pollution in seawater and might call for the protection agencies to revise the Cu environmental standards.

During 2005–2011, 418 phytoplankton samples were collected in Novorossiysk and Tuapse ports and near the resort cities of Anapa and Gelendzhik in the northeastern Black Sea. The maximal values of both abundance and biomass of phytoplankton related to high nutrient concentration, probably due to anthropogenic load, were observed at Novorossiysk (5.82×105cells/l, 1.492g/m3); in other bays values were about three times lower. The annual cycle included two to four phytoplankton abundance peaks. Emiliania huxleyi was the most abundant coccolithophorid (1.15×105cells/l offshore and 2.20×104cells/l in bays and ports). In spring-summer it contributed up to 90% of the phytoplankton abundance offshore. The maximal abundance of E. huxleyi was observed offshore of Gelendzhik (up to 1.32×106cells/l); the minimum was in the coastal zone in the port of Novorossiysk (on average 7.7×103cells/l). Generally, the species appears to avoid eutrophic waters.