This study evaluates the effects of biological factors of fish and seasonality on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) tissue. Specimens were collected monthly with a bottom trawl net in an offshore fishing ground in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea (Geographical Sub Area 17) throughout 2016.The edible fillets of 380 individuals were analyzed for the concentrations of individual PAH, total PAH, and low, medium and high molecular weight (MW) PAHs. PAH bioaccumulation was related to their physicochemical characteristics (MW, and logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient, log Kₒw), some biological parameters of fish (body size, age, sex, reproductive stage and total lipid content), and catch season.The PAH bioaccumulation pattern and the effects of the different factors varied according to PAH MW. The heavier (medium and high MW) PAHs showed higher levels in winter-autumn and in pre-spawners compared with spawners and post-spawners. Our findings suggest that an important detoxification mechanism, albeit limited to the heavier PAHs, acts in the spawning and post-spawning stage. Low MW PAHs appeared to be unaffected by reproductive stage, lipid content and seasonality. Reproductive stage and seasonality seem to play an important role in the accumulation of heavier PAH, whereas total lipid content and age seem to exert a limited influence, and body size no effect at all.

Microplastics are widespread across the global oceans, yet the potential risks of the ubiquitous environmental contaminant to marine organisms has been less known. Accumulation of microplastics and associated contaminants in marine fish, may pose adverse impacts to human health via seafood consumption. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in 24 fish species collected from Beibu Gulf, one of the world’s largest fishing grounds in South China Sea. Microplastics were detected in 12 fish species at an abundance of 0.027–1.000 items individual⁻¹ and found in fish stomach, intestines and gills with the count percentage of 57.7%, 34.6% and 7.7%, respectively. Transparent fibers were observed as the predominant microplastics, which might be ingested accidently by fish or transferred through other animals at lower trophic levels. Majority of microplastics were identified as polyester (44%) and nylon (38%), whereas polypropylene (6%), polyethylene (6%), and acrylics (6%) were also found. Relatively, higher microplastic abundances were found in demersal fish compared to the pelagic species. Overall, the abundance of microplastics was documented as relatively low in the commercial fish collected from the open water of Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have been produced and emitted intensively around the Bohai Sea, potentially causing risks to this unique ecosystem and one of primary fishery resources in China and busiest seaways in the world. Little is known about fate, cycling, and sources of SCCPs in the Bohai Sea biotic and abiotic environment. In this study, we combined a marine food web model with a comprehensive atmospheric transport-multiple phase exchange model to quantify SCCPs in the biotic and abiotic environment in the Bohai Sea. We performed multiple modeling scenario investigations to examine SCCP levels in water, sediment, and phytoplankton. We assessed numerically dry and wet depositions, biomagnification and bioaccumulation of SCCPs in the Bohai Sea marine food web. Results showed declining SCCP levels in water and sediment with increasing distance from the coastline, and so do dry and wet depositions. The net deposition overwhelmed the water-air exchange of SCCPs due to their current use in China, though the diffusive gas deposition fluctuated monthly subject to mean wind speed and temperature. A risk assessment manifests that SCCPs levels in the Bohai Sea fish species are at present not posing risks to the residents in the Bohai Sea Rim region. We identified that the SCCP emission sources in the south of the Bohai Sea made a primary contribution to its loadings to the seawater and fish contamination associated with the East Asian summer monsoon. In contrast, the SCCP emissions from the north and northwest regions of the Bohai Sea were major sources contributing to their loading and contamination to Bohai Sea food web during the wintertime, potentially driven by the East Asian winter monsoon.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, organotin compounds and triazines were quantified in sediments and bivalves collected in four areas on the Galician coast. One or several species were analysed at each site depending on their availability, including mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), clams (Venerupis pullastra and Ruditapes decussatus) and razor shells (Ensis siliqua). The general spatial distribution of contaminants was consistent in spite of the different sources of contamination. High inter-species variability was also observed. M. galloprovincialis and V. pullastra showed the highest levels of contaminants and intra-spatial variability, which highlights them as suitable species to be used as sentinel organisms. The area of O Burgo showed some worrisome results: PCB sediment concentrations were within the range that could cause biological effects. Also the level of heptachlor observed in V. pullastra was above limits accepted on edible seafood. Finally TBT concentration in mussels correlated with concentrations causing imposex in snails.

Trophodynamics and risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in organisms from the Zhoushan fishing ground (ZFG), China were studied. Σ₂₂PCBs varied from 1.36 to 36.75 ng/g wet weight, which were far below the maximum residue levels allowed in fishery products. However, estimated daily intake and hazard ratio calculations present possible adverse effects due to PCB pollution. Significantly positive correlations appeared between wet-weighted concentrations of target chemicals and trophic levels (TLs) of the organisms, with trophic magnification factors (TMFs) from 1.15 to 9.72. The TMF values first increased with an increase of compound's KOW values, and then decreased, with log KOW around 7.0 as an inflection point. TL is suggested as the key factor controlling contaminant burden among the species for only PCBs 105, 138, 153, and 171. For the remaining PCBs, lipid content of the organism or metabolite capacity of the compound may be more important influence on their bioaccumulation.

This study extends our knowledge of the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine organisms and investigates its possible determinants. PAH levels were measured in Solea solea tissue and in marine sediments collected from three areas of the northern Adriatic Sea characterized by different anthropic impacts (Venetian Lagoon, Po Delta, and fishing grounds off Chioggia). The possibility of differential PAH bioaccumulation in different tissues (muscle, liver and gills) was investigated by seeking relationships between mean individual and total PAH concentrations in tissue and sediment samples, the physicochemical properties of PAHs (rings and Kow), and some key biological variables (lipid content of tissues, body size, habitat). The present study demonstrated that the lipid content might not be the only determinant of PAH bioaccumulation in common sole tissues. The habitat characteristics, the tissue types and some physicochemical properties of compounds were closely related to PAH bioaccumulation.

Trophodynamics and chiral signatures of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and chlordanes in a food web from Zhoushan Fishing Ground, China, were studied. Residues of OCPs in all teleost fishes were within food safety levels. Strong positive correlations were found between trophic levels (TLs) and wet weight concentrations of target chemicals, with trophic magnification factors (TMFs) from 4.17 to 9.77. Lipid contents and TLs significantly correlated, which indirectly affect the bioaccumulation processes of OCPs. The consistently racemic EF values of α-HCH, as well as invariability of the relative proportions of HCH isomers in different marine species implied that HCHs in animals originate directly from the surrounding environment. However, in vivo biotransformation and/or elimination of o,p′-DDT cannot be precluded. TMFs of the individual enantiomers further suggest that the influence of achiral biotransformation is too minor to induce enantioselective biomagnification of chiral OCPs through the studied food web.

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a World Heritage Area and contains extensive areas of coral reef, seagrass meadows and fisheries resources. From adjacent catchments, numerous rivers discharge pollutants from agricultural, urban, mining and industrial activity. Pollutant sources have been identified and include suspended sediment from erosion in cattle grazing areas; nitrate from fertiliser application on crop lands; and herbicides from various land uses. The fate and effects of these pollutants in the receiving marine environment are relatively well understood. The Australian and Queensland Governments responded to the concerns of pollution of the GBR from catchment runoff with a plan to address this issue in 2003 (Reef Plan; updated 2009), incentive-based voluntary management initiatives in 2007 (Reef Rescue) and a State regulatory approach in 2009, the Reef Protection Package. This paper reviews new research relevant to the catchment to GBR continuum and evaluates the appropriateness of current management responses.

Jakarta Bay, next to the Jakarta Metropolitan Area with around 30 million inhabitants, is facing extreme pollution. Although local coral reefs are degraded and marine resources heavily exploited, they provide livelihoods for millions of people. This study investigates anthropogenic pressures on local fisheries resources and associated livelihoods. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in 15 coastal communities (10 coastal neighborhoods in Jakarta Bay on the mainland and 5 of the offshore Thousand Islands). The most economically valuable species were Caesio cuning (Redbelly yellowtail fusilier) on the islands and Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel) on the mainland. Over 80% of all interviewed fishermen regarded the current state of marine resources as declining, mainly due to pollution and overexploitation. While perceptions of declining resources were equally high on the islands and the mainland, pollution was listed as the principal cause of degradation significantly more on the mainland. Findings are discussed in the context of coastal livelihood vulnerability.