Microplastics (MPs) have become a major global issue; their release from various products affects the aquatic environment, especially marine ecosystems. As a primary source of MPs, personal care and cosmetics products (PCCPs) containing MPs contribute to this environmental risk. We visited several supermarket chains in Beijing, China to identify PCCPs containing MPs. Overall, 7.1% of facial cleansers contained MPs, with an average weight of 25.04±10.69mgMP/g and average size of 313±130μm; whereas, 2.2% of shower gel products contained an average weight of 17.80±7.50mgMPs/g with an average size of 422±185μm. The majority of MPs were made of polyethylene, based on Raman and Fourier transform-infrared spectra analyses, while only a few were made of walnut shells and carbon particles. Finally, estimated 39tons MPs were released into the environment based on PCCPs use in China based on available data.

A mangrove sediment core was studied to evaluate possible pollution of an urban estuary in Coffs Harbour, Australia. The heavy metal and nutrient profiles revealed a ~2.5-fold enrichment in more recent sediments. Lead-210 dating showed increasing phosphorous (P) and copper (Cu) accumulation following agricultural activity and population growth in the catchment after 1950. In contrast, nitrogen (N) did not show enrichment suggesting no external sources. Mercury (Hg) depositional fluxes and recent enrichment may be associated to an increase in fossil fuel emissions in the region. Down-core lead (Pb) profiles reflect an increase in leaded gasoline in the 1950s, then a decrease as a result of phasing out leaded gasoline in 1986. The heavy metal and nutrient depositional fluxes are well preserved in mangrove sediments and were related to historical events in the catchment.

The loss of coastal wetlands in Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve adversely affected wetland-depended species. To mitigate this impact, gei wai ponds were reconstructed according to a set of biodiversity management zones (BMZs). This study, based on Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), investigated if waterbird distribution was related to BMZ characteristics. Based on habitat characteristics, ponds in the same BMZ generally clumped in the same quadrant or within a short distance on CCA scatter plots, indicating that a BMZ zone produced common habitat traits. Ponds in a close distance on the plot had similar bird abundance or community structure. Significant correlations were noted between the abundance of cormorants and tall tree, and between waders and bare ground areas within study ponds. This study indicated that the control of key habitat factors was important for the success of reconstruction of gei wais and management of waterbirds in Mai Po.

In the present study, we investigated the influence of phenanthrene (PHE), a three-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound, on nitrate (NO3−) reduction processes in mangrove sediments using microcosms. After 10days, nitrate/nitrite reductase activity and abundance of narG and nirS significantly decreased in the bulk sediment at both 10/50mgPHEkg−1 contamination groups. In the rhizosphere, abundance of narG, nirS and nirK markedly declined at PHE treated sediments, while the drop in reductase activity at 10mgkg−1 PHE treatment was insignificant. After 50days, apart from 10mgPhekg−1 treated bulk sediment, abundance of denitrifiers and reductase activity in all PHE spiked sediment samples significantly dropped. Therefore, the influence of PAHs on NO3− reduction capability in mangrove sediments is dependent on spiked concentration, temporal scale of exposure and interaction with roots. Generally, PAHs play an inhibitor role, slowing NO3− turnover rates, which warrant attention from coastal managers.

This study is an attempt to explore the effectiveness of satellite data in predicting hourly PM2.5 (Respirable particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm) concentrations for a chosen number of forward time steps over eastern China. MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) aerosol optical depth (AOD), hourly forecasted meteorological variables, along with respective pollutant predictors from 2013 to 2015 were used as input to a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) type of back-propagation neural network. A novel approach, based on the correlation coefficients between surface PM2.5 and meteorological variables, was employed in selecting the averaging periods for meteorological input. Backward air mass trajectory was combined with AOD so as to explicitly measure the contribution of regional transport. Owing to the spatial variability of the AOD-PM2.5 relationship, each grid cell on the AOD retrievals was assigned to a prediction model trained by the nearest monitoring station from them. The proposed model seems to perform better in southern China. Also predictions incorporating transport predictor tend to have higher rates of detecting PM2.5 exceedance hours. We further introduced a sensitive analysis in Beijing by testing a model with surface PM2.5 input, evaluated versus the AOD input one. The two models were evaluated on the perturbed test set with input values ranging from 10 to 40%. It is found that PM model significantly outperforms the AOD one when the prediction horizon is longer than 36 h. This approach shows potential to be adapted for other regions, but will be most useful for areas without access to sophisticated deterministic models.

Sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras play an important role as predators in the ecosystems. These species could serve as potential sentinels for the presence of xenobiotics in marine ecosystems. In this study, liver carboxylesterase (CbE) activity was determined for 20 species of chondrichthyans. Carboxylesterase activity, a known esterase involved in the metabolism of pesticides, lipids and certain drugs, was measured using two substrates: 4-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA) and α-naphthyl acetate (αNA). Rajiformes (rays and skates) showed higher CbE activity than sharks, and the order Chimaeriformes showed the lowest values. In vitro sensitivity to CbE inhibitors was assessed in the shark Scyliorhinus canicula. The substrate αNA was found to be the most adequate as it displayed the highest activity and was more sensitive to the organophosphate dichlorvos in the liver (IC50=2.37μM) and plasma (IC50=0.051μM). The high interspecific variation of CbE activity and its sensitivity to inhibition by fenofibrate suggest that this enzyme could contribute to species-specific differences in drug detoxification.

Eight sandy beaches along the coastline of Qatar and four sea surface stations on the eastern coast, adjacent to Doha Bay, were surveyed between December 2014 and March 2015. Microplastics, mainly low density polyethylene and polypropylene, were found in all samples of sediments and seawater. Blue fibers, ranging between 1 and 5mm, were the dominant type of particle present. Abundances on the sea surface varied between 4.38×104 and 1.46×106particles·km−2, with the highest values being consistently found 10km offshore, suggesting the presence of a convergence zone. No significant temporal variability was detected for sea surface samples. The concentration of microplastics in intertidal sediments varied between 36 and 228particlesm−2, with no significant differences among the 8 beaches examined. These results show the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution in coastal environments of the Arabian Gulf. Potential local sources and sinks for microplastics are discussed.

Phytochelatins (PCs) and monothiols and their relation with trace element concentrations were studied in three plant species from two Portuguese salt marshes. Belowground tissues showed always higher element concentrations, while enhanced values of monothiols were found in aboveground biomass. Glutathione was usually the most abundant monothiol. The concentration of total PCs was higher in leaves or stems than in roots of Halimione portulacoides and Sarcocornia perennis, while in Spartina maritima the highest concentrations were reported in large roots. PC2 was synthesized by all tissues and species and was higher in large roots of S. maritima. PC4 and PC5 were in high levels in small roots of S. maritima. PC2 was positively correlated with As, Zn and Pb. Although being the first evidence of PCs and monothiols in these species under natural conditions, our results do not point to a simple relationship with elements concentrations, suggesting a complex mechanism involved.

One of the most common plastics in the marine environment is polystyrene (PS) that can be broken down to micro sized particles. Marine organisms are vulnerable to the exposure to microplastics. This study assesses the effects of PS microplastics in tissues of the clam Scrobicularia plana. Clams were exposed to 1mgL−1 (20μm) for 14days, followed by 7days of depuration. A qualitative analysis by infrared spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode period detected the presence of microplastics in clam tissues upon exposure, which were not eliminated after depuration. The effects of microplastics were assessed by a battery of biomarkers and results revealed that microplastics induce effects on antioxidant capacity, DNA damage, neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. S. plana is a significant target to assess the environmental risk of PS microplastics.

The effects of oil spills on marine biological systems are of great concern, especially in regions with high biological production of harvested resources such as in the Northeastern Atlantic. The scientific studies of the impact of oil spills on fish stocks tend to ignore that spatial patterns of natural mortality may influence the magnitude of the impact over time. Here, we first illustrate how spatial variation in natural mortality may affect the population impact by considering a thought experiment. Second, we consider an empirically based example of Northeast Arctic cod to extend the concept to a realistic setting. Finally, we present a scenario-based investigation of how the degree of spatial variation in natural mortality affects the impact over a gradient of oil spill sizes. Including the effects of spatial variations in natural mortality tends to widen the impact distribution, hence increasing the probability of both high and low impact events.