This viewpoint paper explores the potential of genomics technology to provide accurate, rapid, and cost efficient observations of the marine environment. The use of such approaches in next generation marine monitoring programs will help achieve the goals of marine legislation implemented world-wide. Genomic methods can yield faster results from monitoring, easier and more reliable taxonomic identification, as well as quicker and better assessment of the environmental status of marine waters.

International audience | Worldwide there is concern about the continuing release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. In this study we review the application of mosses as biomonitors of atmospheric deposition of POPs. Examples in the literature show that mosses are suitable organisms to monitor spatial patterns and temporal trends of atmospheric concentrations or deposition of POPs. These examples include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The majority of studies report on PAHs concentrations in mosses and relative few studies have been conducted on other POPs. So far, many studies have focused on spatial patterns around pollution sources or the concentration in mosses in remote areas such as the polar regions, as an indication of long-range transport of POPs. Very few studies have determined temporal trends or have directly related the concentrations in mosses with measured atmospheric concentrations and/or deposition fluxes.

PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected at 4 and 14 sampling sites, respectively, located in the Metropolitan area of Costa Rica (MACR), during 2010-2011. These sites were representative of commercial, industrial and residential zones of this region. Concentrations of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) were analyzed using the IMPROVE thermal-optical reflectance (TOR) method. OC and EC concentrations were higher in commercial and industrial sites and showed clear seasonal variations with higher concentrations observed in the rainy season (May-November) than in the dry season (December-April), due to wind patterns in the study area. Total carbonaceous aerosol accounted for 35% of PM10 and 56% of PM2.5 mass. Good correlation between OC and EC in PM10 (R=0.89-0.75) and PM2.5 (R=0.79-0.64) indicated that they had common dominant sources of combustion such as industrial activities and traffic emissions. The annual average concentrations of estimated SOC (Secondary Organic Carbon) in the MACR PM10 samples showed values between 0.65-8.49 mg/m3, accounting for 48% and 56% of the OC in PM10 and PM2.5 respectively. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified five principal sources for OC and EC in particles: gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, on road traffic, wood smoke and industrial combustion. The contribution of each of the source varied between the PM10 and PM2.5 size fractions. | Se recolectaron muestras de PM2.5 y PM10 en 4 y 14 sitios de muestreo, respectivamente, ubicados en el Área Metropolitana de Costa Rica (MACR), durante 2010-2011. Estos sitios eran representativos de zonas comerciales, industriales y residenciales de esta región. Las concentraciones de carbono elemental (CE) y carbono orgánico (OC) se analizaron utilizando el método IMPROVE termoóptica reflectancia (TOR). Las concentraciones de OC y CE fueron mayores en los sitios comerciales e industriales y mostraron claras variaciones estacionales con concentraciones más altas observadas en la temporada de lluvias (mayo-noviembre) que en la estación seca (diciembre-abril), debido a los patrones de viento en el área de estudio. El aerosol carbonoso total representó el 35% de PM10 y el 56% de la masa de PM2.5. La buena correlación entre OC y EC en PM10 (R = 0,89-0,75) y PM2,5 (R = 0,79-0,64) indicó que tenían fuentes de combustión dominantes comunes como las actividades industriales y las emisiones de tráfico. Las concentraciones medias anuales de SOC (Carbono Orgánico Secundario) estimado en las muestras MACR PM10 mostraron valores entre 0.65-8.49 mg / m3, representando el 48% y 56% de la OC en PM10 y PM2.5 respectivamente. La Factorización de Matriz Positiva (PMF) identificó cinco fuentes principales de OC y EC en partículas: vehículos de gasolina, vehículos diesel, en el tráfico rodado, humo de leña y combustión industrial. La contribución de cada una de las fuentes varió entre las fracciones de tamaño PM10 y PM2.5. | As amostras de PM2.5 e PM10 foram coletadas em 4 e 14 locais de amostragem, respectivamente, localizados na área metropolitana da Costa Rica (MACR), durante 2010-2011. Esses locais eram representativos das zonas comerciais, industriais e residenciais desta região. As concentrações de carbono elementar (CE) e carbono orgânico (OC) foram analisadas usando o método IMPROVE de refletância ótica-térmica (TOR). As concentrações de OC e EC foram maiores nos locais comerciais e industriais e mostraram claras variações sazonais com maiores concentrações observadas na estação chuvosa (maio-novembro) do que na estação seca (dezembro-abril), devido aos padrões de vento na área de estudo. O aerossol carbonáceo total foi responsável por 35% da massa de PM10 e 56% da massa de PM2,5. A boa correlação entre OC e EC em PM10 (R = 0,89-0,75) e PM2,5 (R = 0,79-0,64) indicou que eles tinham fontes dominantes comuns de combustão, como atividades industriais e emissões de tráfego. As concentrações médias anuais estimadas de SOC (Carbono Orgânico Secundário) nas amostras MACR PM10 apresentaram valores entre 0,65-8,49 mg / m3, representando 48% e 56% do OC em PM10 e PM2,5 respectivamente. A Fatoração de Matriz Positiva (PMF) identificou cinco fontes principais de CO e CE em partículas: veículos a gasolina, veículos a diesel, no tráfego rodoviário, fumaça de lenha e combustão industrial. A contribuição de cada uma das fontes variou entre as frações de tamanho PM10 e PM2,5. | Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica | Universidad de Costa Rica | Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Mexico | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México | Escuela de Ciencias Ambientales

International audience | The concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) were described in benthic and pelagic species collected off Adélie Land, Antarctica. Strong differences were observed among species, with reduced PeCB and HCB levels in benthic species, and elevated PCB levels in the Antarctic yellowbelly rockcod, the Antarctic sea urchin and the snow petrel. Lower-chlorinated congeners were predominant in krill; penta-PCBs in benthic organisms; hexa- and hepta-PCBs in seabirds and cryopelagic fish. This segregation may result from sedimentation process, specific accumulation and excretion, and/or biotransformation processes. The presence of PBDEs in Antarctic coastal organisms may originate from atmospheric transport and partly from a contamination by local sources. Although POP levels in Antarctic marine organisms were substantially lower than in Arctic and temperate organisms, very little is known about their toxic effects on these cold-adapted species, with high degree of endemism.

The fate and exposure risks of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in marine environments are not well-understood. In this study we developed a multi-residue analytical method for quantifying concentrations of forty target compounds in seawater from Singapore. Analyses of samples (n = 24) from eight sites showed the occurrence of several compounds, including gemfibrozil (<0.09–19.8 ng/L), triclosan (<0.55–10.5 ng/L), carbamazepine (<0.28–10.9 ng/L) and ibuprofen (<2.2–9.1 ng/L). A 3D hydrodynamic model for Singapore was used to predict residence time (tR). Principal Components Analysis revealed a strong relationship between tR and contaminant concentrations. While source emissions are undoubtedly important, proximate distance to a wastewater treatment plant had little influence on concentrations. The site with the greatest tR, which exhibited the highest concentrations, is adjacent to Singapore's largest protected wetland reserve. The results highlight an important linkage between hydrodynamic behavior and contaminant exposure risks in complex coastal marine ecosystems.

Anaerobically digested and composted sewage sludge (CSS) has been suggested to be a slow-release fertilizer in forestry and an alternative to quick-release inorganic fertilizers. The effects of CSS with or without added carbohydrate on inorganic nitrogen availability and on soil animals were tested in two Norway spruce plantations. Half of the seedlings were individually fertilized with CSS, and the rest were left as controls. Solid sucrose was added to half of the fertilized and untreated seedlings. Soil samples were taken in the autumn in the first and the second year after the treatments. CSS increased soil NH4–N (2100%), the proportion of soil NO3–N, and the N concentration of spruce needles. CSS greatly reduced the abundances of enchytraeids, tardigrades and collembolans, but increased the proportion and abundance of bacterial-feeding nematodes irrespective of carbohydrate addition. A better stabilization method needs to be developed before CSS can be used as a forest fertilizer.

The Intermediate Dynamic Model for Metals (IDMM) is a model for prediction of the pools of metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in topsoils of catchments resulting from deposition of metals from the atmosphere. We used the model to simulate soil metal pools from 1400 onwards in ten UK catchments comprising semi-natural habitats, and compared the results with present day observations of soil metal pools. Generally the model performed well in simulating present day pools, and further improvements were made to simulations of Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd by adjusting the strength of metal adsorption to the soils. Some discrepancies between observation and prediction for Pb appeared to be due either to underestimation of cumulative deposition, or to overestimation of the metal pool under ‘pristine’, pre-industrial conditions. The IDMM provides a potential basis for large scale assessment of metal dynamics in topsoils.

Populations of some species of bats are declining in some regions of Europe. These declines are probably due to a range of pressures, including climate change, urbanization and exposure to toxins such as metals. This paper describes the development, paramaterisation and application of a spatially explicit modeling framework to predict the risks of soil-associated metals (lead, copper, zinc and cadmium) to bat health. Around 5.9% of areas where bats reside were predicted to have lead levels that pose a risk to bat health. For copper, this value was 2.8%, for cadmium it was 0.6% and for zinc 0.5%. Further work is therefore warranted to explore the impacts of soil-associated metals on bat populations in the UK.