Contrasting soil profiles (coarse-textured and fine-textured) treated with brilliant blue (BB) dye tracer, inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations along and between stained preferential flow pathways were examined for an irrigated and overfertilised maize monoculture system at the Mediterranean central Chile. The PO4-P concentrations were 2- to 10-fold higher in areas with BB than in areas without BB below 0.5-m soil depth in both soils. This elevated concentration was attributed to transport through cracks in fine-textured soil and finger flow in coarse-textured soil. The highest PO4-P value (13 mg kg(-1)) was found in areas with BB at the fine-textured soil. There were no significant differences in inorganic N concentration between areas with and without BB for both soils, which suggest that the effects of preferential flow are less important for inorganic N forms. There was a strong significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between PO4-P and NH4-N concentrations in the fine-textured soil, and the amounts retained were clearly proportional to the clay content. Strategies for reducing N and P losses must be placed on good agronomic management of irrigated maize cropping system including accurate calculation of N and P fertiliser rates and establishment of suitable mitigation measures such as cover cropping. | FONDECYT 1150572

Contrasting soil profiles (coarse-textured and fine-textured) treated with brilliant blue (BB) dye tracer, inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations along and between stained preferential flow pathways were examined for an irrigated and overfertilised maize monoculture system at the Mediterranean central Chile. The PO4-P concentrations were 2- to 10-fold higher in areas with BB than in areas without BB below 0.5-m soil depth in both soils. This elevated concentration was attributed to transport through cracks in fine-textured soil and finger flow in coarse-textured soil. The highest PO4-P value (13 mg kg⁻¹) was found in areas with BB at the fine-textured soil. There were no significant differences in inorganic N concentration between areas with and without BB for both soils, which suggest that the effects of preferential flow are less important for inorganic N forms. There was a strong significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between PO4-P and NH4-N concentrations in the fine-textured soil, and the amounts retained were clearly proportional to the clay content. Strategies for reducing N and P losses must be placed on good agronomic management of irrigated maize cropping system including accurate calculation of N and P fertiliser rates and establishment of suitable mitigation measures such as cover cropping.

publishedVersion | Paid Open Access

The effects of petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the embryonic and larval life stages of teleosts have been extensively examined. However, very little work has been conducted on how spilled oil affects fish sperm and there is no related knowledge concerning oil dispersing agents. The objective of our study was to determine sperm performance of a teleost fish under direct exposure to different concentrations of WAF (water accommodated fraction) and CEWAF (chemically enhanced water accommodated fraction). Capelin sperm motility, swimming behaviour, and sperm fertilization ability were evaluated in a scenario of an oil spill untreated (WAF) and treated (CEWAF) with the dispersant Corexit® EC9500A. Sperm fertilizing ability was lower when exposed to CEWAF concentrations of 16.1 × 103 μg/L total petroleum hydrocarbons and 47.9 μg/L PAH, and when exposed to the dispersant alone. The mechanism responsible for this reduced fertilizing ability is not clear. However, it is not related to the percentage of motile sperm or sperm swimming behaviour, as these were unaffected. WAF did not alter sperm swimming characteristics nor the fertilizing ability. We suggest the dispersant rather than the dispersed oil is responsible for the decrease in the sperm fertilizing ability and hypothesize that the surfactants present in the dispersant affect sperm membrane functionality.

International audience | he aim of this study is to bring to light the influence on firewood emissions and performance of several parameters like the moisture content of the fuel, the presence of bark, the caliber of the fuel but also the ignition mode. Many results emerge from this study. First of all, all these parameters significantly impact the emissions of the firewood at the nominal thermal heat output, especially the particles emissions. The presence of bark modifies the particles composition in total carbon. Moreover, the presence of bark induces the emissions of a new family of particles: the nanocrystal. A high moisture of the fuel led to a lower temperature in the combustion chamber. Then, the emissions of unburned gases, like the Volatile Organic Compounds, will considerably increase. The particles emissions and the composition of those particles were also significantly impacted by the moisture of the fuel. Two ignition modes were also studied. It appears that the top-down ignition against the traditional ignition allowed a significant decrease of all the emissions. Nevertheless, the elemental carbon emissions were more important with a top-down ignition. | L’objectif de cette étude est de mettre en évidence l’influence sur les émissions et les performances d’un appareil de différents paramètres, comme l’humidité du bois, la présence d’écorce ou non, le calibre utilisé ainsi que le mode d’allumage. De nombreux résultats ressortent de cette étude. Tout d’abord, tous ces paramètres influent de manière considérable sur les émissions des appareils, notamment les émissions de particules, et ce, même à régime nominal. La présence d’écorce modifie la composition en carbone total des particules totales et implique l’émission d’un nouveau type de particule : les nano-cristaux. Une humidité élevée induit des niveaux de températures plus faibles. Ainsi, les émissions d’imbrûlés gazeux tels que les Composés Organiques Volatils vont augmenter de manière importante. Les émissions de particules, en quantité et en composition chimique, sont aussi significativement impactées par l’humidité du combustible. Deux modes d’allumage ont aussi été étudiés. Il s’avère qu’un allumage inversé permet de réduire de manière significative la globalité des émissions par rapport à un allumage classique. En effet, seules les émissions de Carbone Elémentaire sont plus importantes avec un allumage inversé.

L’objectif de cette étude est de mettre en évidence l’influence sur les émissions et les performances d’un appareil de différents paramètres, comme l’humidité du bois, la présence d’écorce ou non, le calibre utilisé ainsi que le mode d’allumage. De nombreux résultats ressortent de cette étude. Tout d’abord, tous ces paramètres influent de manière considérable sur les émissions des appareils, notamment les émissions de particules, et ce, même à régime nominal. La présence d’écorce modifie la composition en carbone total des particules totales et implique l’émission d’un nouveau type de particule : les nano-cristaux. Une humidité élevée induit des niveaux de températures plus faibles. Ainsi, les émissions d’imbrûlés gazeux tels que les Composés Organiques Volatils vont augmenter de manière importante. Les émissions de particules, en quantité et en composition chimique, sont aussi significativement impactées par l’humidité du combustible. Deux modes d’allumage ont aussi été étudiés. Il s’avère qu’un allumage inversé permet de réduire de manière significative la globalité des émissions par rapport à un allumage classique. En effet, seules les émissions de Carbone Elémentaire sont plus importantes avec un allumage inversé. | he aim of this study is to bring to light the influence on firewood emissions and performance of several parameters like the moisture content of the fuel, the presence of bark, the caliber of the fuel but also the ignition mode. Many results emerge from this study. First of all, all these parameters significantly impact the emissions of the firewood at the nominal thermal heat output, especially the particles emissions. The presence of bark modifies the particles composition in total carbon. Moreover, the presence of bark induces the emissions of a new family of particles: the nanocrystal. A high moisture of the fuel led to a lower temperature in the combustion chamber. Then, the emissions of unburned gases, like the Volatile Organic Compounds, will considerably increase. The particles emissions and the composition of those particles were also significantly impacted by the moisture of the fuel. Two ignition modes were also studied. It appears that the top-down ignition against the traditional ignition allowed a significant decrease of all the emissions. Nevertheless, the elemental carbon emissions were more important with a top-down ignition.

peer reviewed | Copper and zinc are metals that have been traditionally thought of as past contamination legacies. However, their industrial use is still extensive and current applications (e.g. nanoparticles and antifouling paints) have become additional marine environment delivery routes. Determining a pollutant's genotoxicity is an ecotoxicological priority, but in marine benthic systems putative substances responsible for sediment genotoxicity have rarely been identified. Studies that use sediment as the delivery matrix combined with exposures over life-history relevant timescales are also missing for metals. Here we assess copper and zinc's genotoxicity by exposing the ecologically important polychaete Alitta virens to sediment spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations for 9 months. Target bioavailable sediment and subsequent porewater concentrations reflect the global contamination range for coasts, whilst tissue concentrations, although elevated, were comparable with other polychaetes. Survival generally reduced as concentrations increased, but monthly analyses show that growth was not significantly different between treatments. The differential treatment mortality may have enabled the surviving worms in the high concentration treatments to capture more food thus removing any concentration treatment effects for biomass. Using the alkaline comet assay we confirm that both metals via the sediment are genotoxic at concentrations routinely found in coastal regions and this is supported by elevated DNA damage in worms from field sites. However, combined with the growth data it also highlights the tolerance of A. virens to DNA damage. Finally, using long term (decadal) monitoring data we show stable or increasing sediment concentrations of these metals for many areas. This will potentially mean coastal sediment is a significant mutagenic hazard to the benthic community for decades to come. An urgent reappraisal of the current input sources for these ‘old pollutants’ is, therefore, required. Chronic exposure of zinc and copper via sediment at environmentally relevant concentrations induces DNA damage in a marine polychaete. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Copper and zinc are metals that have been traditionally thought of as past contamination legacies. However, their industrial use is still extensive and current applications (e.g. nanoparticles and antifouling paints) have become additional marine environment delivery routes. Determining a pollutant's genotoxicity is an ecotoxicological priority, but in marine benthic systems putative substances responsible for sediment genotoxicity have rarely been identified. Studies that use sediment as the delivery matrix combined with exposures over life-history relevant timescales are also missing for metals. Here we assess copper and zinc's genotoxicity by exposing the ecologically important polychaete Alitta virens to sediment spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations for 9 months. Target bioavailable sediment and subsequent porewater concentrations reflect the global contamination range for coasts, whilst tissue concentrations, although elevated, were comparable with other polychaetes. Survival generally reduced as concentrations increased, but monthly analyses show that growth was not significantly different between treatments. The differential treatment mortality may have enabled the surviving worms in the high concentration treatments to capture more food thus removing any concentration treatment effects for biomass. Using the alkaline comet assay we confirm that both metals via the sediment are genotoxic at concentrations routinely found in coastal regions and this is supported by elevated DNA damage in worms from field sites. However, combined with the growth data it also highlights the tolerance of A. virens to DNA damage. Finally, using long term (decadal) monitoring data we show stable or increasing sediment concentrations of these metals for many areas. This will potentially mean coastal sediment is a significant mutagenic hazard to the benthic community for decades to come. An urgent reappraisal of the current input sources for these ‘old pollutants’ is, therefore, required.

Microplastic (MP) contamination is ubiquitous in the environment and many species worldwide have been shown to contain MP. The ecological impact of MP pollution is still unknown, thus there is an urgent need for more knowledge. One key task is to identify species suitable as sentinels for monitoring in key eco-compartments, such as coastal waters. In Norway, mussels (Mytilus spp.) have been monitored for hazardous contaminants through OSPAR since 1981. Norway has the longest coastline in Europe and adding MP to the Norwegian Mussel Watch is therefore important in a European and global context. The present study reports MP data in mussels (332 specimens) collected from multiple sites (n = 15) spanning the whole Norwegian coastline. MPs were detected at all locations, except at one site on the west coast. Among the most surprising findings, mussels from the Barents Sea coastline in the Finnmark region, contained significantly more MPs than mussels from most of the southern part of the country, despite the latter sites being located much closer to major urban areas. Only mussels from a site located very close to Oslo, the capital, contained levels similar to those observed in the remote site in Finnmark. In total an average of 1.5 (±2.3) particles ind−1 and 0.97 (±2.61) particles w.w. g−1 was found. The most common MPs were <1 mm in size, and fibres accounted for 83% of particles identified, although there was inter-site variability. Thirteen different polymeric groups were identified; cellulosic being the most common and black rubbery particles being the second. This study suggests Mytilus spp. are suitable for semi-quantitative and qualitatively monitoring of MPs in coastal waters. However, some uncertainties remain including mussel size as a confounding factor that may influence ingestion, the role of depuration and other fate related processes, and this call for further research. | publishedVersion

Microplastic (MP) contamination is ubiquitous in the environment and many species worldwide have been shown to contain MP. The ecological impact of MP pollution is still unknown, thus there is an urgent need for more knowledge. One key task is to identify species suitable as sentinels for monitoring in key eco-compartments, such as coastal waters. In Norway, mussels (Mytilus spp.) have been monitored for hazardous contaminants through OSPAR since 1981. Norway has the longest coastline in Europe and adding MP to the Norwegian Mussel Watch is therefore important in a European and global context. The present study reports MP data in mussels (332 specimens) collected from multiple sites (n = 15) spanning the whole Norwegian coastline. MPs were detected at all locations, except at one site on the west coast. Among the most surprising findings, mussels from the Barents Sea coastline in the Finnmark region, contained significantly more MPs than mussels from most of the southern part of the country, despite the latter sites being located much closer to major urban areas. Only mussels from a site located very close to Oslo, the capital, contained levels similar to those observed in the remote site in Finnmark. In total an average of 1.5 (±2.3) particles ind−1 and 0.97 (±2.61) particles w.w. g−1 was found. The most common MPs were <1 mm in size, and fibres accounted for 83% of particles identified, although there was inter-site variability. Thirteen different polymeric groups were identified; cellulosic being the most common and black rubbery particles being the second. This study suggests Mytilus spp. are suitable for semi-quantitative and qualitatively monitoring of MPs in coastal waters. However, some uncertainties remain including mussel size as a confounding factor that may influence ingestion, the role of depuration and other fate related processes, and this call for further research.

Microplastic (MP) contamination is ubiquitous in the environment and many species worldwide have been shown to contain MP. The ecological impact of MP pollution is still unknown, thus there is an urgent need for more knowledge. One key task is to identify species suitable as sentinels for monitoring in key eco-compartments, such as coastal waters. In Norway, mussels (Mytilus spp.) have been monitored for hazardous contaminants through OSPAR since 1981. Norway has the longest coastline in Europe and adding MP to the Norwegian Mussel Watch is therefore important in a European and global context. The present study reports MP data in mussels (332 specimens) collected from multiple sites (n = 15) spanning the whole Norwegian coastline. MPs were detected at all locations, except at one site on the west coast. Among the most surprising findings, mussels from the Barents Sea coastline in the Finnmark region, contained significantly more MPs than mussels from most of the southern part of the country, despite the latter sites being located much closer to major urban areas. Only mussels from a site located very close to Oslo, the capital, contained levels similar to those observed in the remote site in Finnmark. In total an average of 1.5 (±2.3) particles ind⁻¹ and 0.97 (±2.61) particles w.w. g⁻¹ was found. The most common MPs were <1 mm in size, and fibres accounted for 83% of particles identified, although there was inter-site variability. Thirteen different polymeric groups were identified; cellulosic being the most common and black rubbery particles being the second. This study suggests Mytilus spp. are suitable for semi-quantitative and qualitatively monitoring of MPs in coastal waters. However, some uncertainties remain including mussel size as a confounding factor that may influence ingestion, the role of depuration and other fate related processes, and this call for further research.

International audience | Revegetation of abandoned aquaculture regions should be a priority for any integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). This paper examines the potential of a matchless time series of 20 very high spatial resolution (VHSR) optical satellite images acquired for mapping trends in the evolution of mangrove forests from 2001 to 2015 in an estuary fragmented into aquaculture ponds. Evolution of mangrove extent was quantified through robust multitemporal analysis based on supervised image classification. Results indicated that mangroves are expanding inside and outside ponds and over pond dykes. However, the yearly expansion rate of vegetation cover greatly varied between replanted ponds. Ground truthing showed that only Rhizophora species had been planted, whereas natural mangroves consist of Avicennia and Sonneratia species. In addition, the dense Rhizophora plantations present very low regeneration capabilities compared with natural mangroves. Time series of VHSR images provide comprehensive and intuitive level of information for the support of ICZM.

Revegetation of abandoned aquaculture regions should be a priority for any integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). This paper examines the potential of a matchless time series of 20 very high spatial resolution (VHSR) optical satellite images acquired for mapping trends in the evolution of mangrove forests from 2001 to 2015 in an estuary fragmented into aquaculture ponds. Evolution of mangrove extent was quantified through robust multitemporal analysis based on supervised image classification. Results indicated that mangroves are expanding inside and outside ponds and over pond dykes. However, the yearly expansion rate of vegetation cover greatly varied between replanted ponds. Ground truthing showed that only Rhizophora species had been planted, whereas natural mangroves consist of Avicennia and Sonneratia species. In addition, the dense Rhizophora plantations present very low regeneration capabilities compared with natural mangroves. Time series of VHSR images provide comprehensive and intuitive level of information for the support of ICZM.

Recent studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of microplastics on wildlife. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption and the high intake of seafood (fish and shellfish) in some countries cause concern about the potential effects of microplastics on human health. In this brief review, the evidence of seafood contamination by microplastics is reviewed, and the potential consequences of the presence of microplastics in the marine environment for human food security, food safety and health are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and gaps in knowledge are identified. The knowledge on the adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of marine organisms containing microplastics is very limited, difficult to assess and still controversial. Thus, assessment of the risk posed to humans is challenging. Research is urgently needed, especially regarding the potential exposure and associated health risk to micro- and nano-sized plastics. | publishedVersion

Recent studies have demonstrated the negative impacts of microplastics on wildlife. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in marine species for human consumption and the high intake of seafood (fish and shellfish) in some countries cause concern about the potential effects of microplastics on human health. In this brief review, the evidence of seafood contamination by microplastics is reviewed, and the potential consequences of the presence of microplastics in the marine environment for human food security, food safety and health are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and gaps in knowledge are identified. The knowledge on the adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of marine organisms containing microplastics is very limited, difficult to assess and still controversial. Thus, assessment of the risk posed to humans is challenging. Research is urgently needed, especially regarding the potential exposure and associated health risk to micro- and nano-sized plastics.

The primary aim of this research was to identify the physicochemical properties of the oil and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions used during a NOFO Oil-on-Water field trials that reduced the performance of the skimmers recovery efficacy during the trials. Extensive studies were performed at SINTEF laboratories with the residues of oil topped (i.e. evaporative loss of crude oil components by distillation process at large scale) for the field trial and compared it with different residues of oil topped by bench scale laboratory procedures. In order to obtain a sufficient stable W/O emulsion for the field trial, bunker fuel oil (IFO380) and various concentrations of an emulsifier (Paramul®) were also added to the residues of oil topped on large scale and investigated through interfacial tension, contact angle, droplet adhesion and “dip and withdraw” tests. The investigations revealed that the addition of an emulsifier lowered the interfacial tension of oil residues, which consequently reduced the adherence properties of the oil and emulsions to the surface of the skimmer material. Too high concentration of an emulsifier (>0,5%) also had a negative effect on the stability of W/O emulsion. | Study of the oil interaction towards oil spill recovery skimmer material: Effect of the oil weathering and emulsification properties | acceptedVersion

The primary aim of this research was to identify the physicochemical properties of the oil and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions used during a NOFO Oil-on-Water field trials that reduced the performance of the skimmers recovery efficacy during the trials. Extensive studies were performed at SINTEF laboratories with the residues of oil topped (i.e. evaporative loss of crude oil components by distillation process at large scale) for the field trial and compared it with different residues of oil topped by bench scale laboratory procedures. In order to obtain a sufficient stable W/O emulsion for the field trial, bunker fuel oil (IFO380) and various concentrations of an emulsifier (Paramul®) were also added to the residues of oil topped on large scale and investigated through interfacial tension, contact angle, droplet adhesion and “dip and withdraw” tests. The investigations revealed that the addition of an emulsifier lowered the interfacial tension of oil residues, which consequently reduced the adherence properties of the oil and emulsions to the surface of the skimmer material. Too high concentration of an emulsifier (>0,5%) also had a negative effect on the stability of W/O emulsion.