Protection of non-human biota from ionizing contaminants, especially in the vicinity of nuclear installations is a very important aspect for nuclear engineers and ecologists. In this view, a baseline data on the activity concentration of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were quantified in different tissues of molluscs inhabiting the intertidal region along the coast of Kudankulam. The activity concentration was noticed higher in the organs associated with digestion and metabolism. Filter feeding bivalve molluscs registered the maximum activity of ²¹⁰Po in their whole body compared to grazing gastropods. ²¹⁰Po:²¹⁰Pb ratio was calculated to be greater than unity in most of the analysed tissues. The ecological sensitivity of molluscs to the radiation exposure and the safeness of the environment was analysed by calculating the external and internal dose rate. The hazard quotient for molluscs was lesser than the global bench mark dose rate of 10μGyh–¹.

Transport of ballast water is one major factor in the transmission of aquatic organisms, including pathogenic bacteria. The IMO-guidelines of the Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, states that ships are to discharge <1CFU per 100ml ballast water of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae, emphasizing the need to establish test methods. To our knowledge, there are no methods sensitive and rapid enough available for cholera surveillance of ballast water. In this study real-time PCR and NASBA methods have been evaluated to specifically detect 1CFU/100ml of V. cholerae in ballast water. Ballast water samples spiked with V. cholerae cells were filtered and enriched in alkaline peptone water before PCR or NASBA detection. The entire method, including sample preparation and analysis was performed within 7h, and has the potential to be used for analysis of ballast water for inspection and enforcement control.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the significance of natural radionuclides, particularly ²¹⁰Po, in the marine environment. ²¹⁰Po, a naturally occurring alpha emitter, accumulates in marine organisms and reflects differences in their diets. In the literature, there is no data for ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations for fish species on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea. Therefore, in this study, multiple fish species were collected from six stations seasonally on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea and were analyzed for their ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb content. The ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the fish samples were found to vary from undetectable levels to 499±44Bqkg⁻¹ dry weight (dw) and from 1.0±0.3Bqkg⁻¹ to 35±4.0Bqkg⁻¹ (dw), respectively. There were no significant differences in the activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in fish samples between seasons (ANOVA, P>0.05). The highest dose contribution of ²¹⁰Po to humans was calculated to be 10,530μSvyear⁻¹.

The associations between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure and involution of lymphoid tissue and development of epithelial-lined cysts in the thymus of UK-stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) (n=170) were tested. Percentage of thymic lymphoid tissue (%TLT) was histologically quantified. Multiple regression analyses (n=169) demonstrated significant positive correlation between %TLT and nutritional status (p<0.001) and significant negative association between %TLT and onset of sexual maturity (p<0.001). However, in a subgroup of porpoises with total PCB levels above a proposed threshold of toxicity (>17mg/kg lipid weight) (n=109), the negative association between %TLT (as dependent variable) and summed blubber concentrations of 25 chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑25CBs) remained significant (p<0.01) along with nutritional status (p<0.001) and onset of sexual maturity (p<0.001). These results suggest PCB-induced immuno suppression may be occurring in harbour porpoises in UK waters but only at concentrations that exceed proposed toxicity thresholds for marine mammals. In contrast, development of thymic cysts appears predominantly age-related.

Concentrations of elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were determined in ten species of macroalgae collected from six sites in the Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, between May and July of 2010. An optimized microwave-assisted digestion procedure was used to digest the samples. The elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A wide range of metal concentrations were observed between the species analysed. Somewhat higher concentrations of Cd (5.99μgg⁻¹), Co (372μgg⁻¹), Mn (640μgg⁻¹), Ni (17.2μgg⁻¹) and Zn (51.4μgg⁻¹) were found in the brown macroalgae species Padina spp., whereas elements, such as As (19.7μgg⁻¹) and Pb (8.27μgg⁻¹), were mainly concentrated in the species Sargassum spp. and Bostrychia montagnei, respectively. Statistical analyses (ANOVA) of the Padina data showed significant inter-site differences for all metals examined except nickel.

This study evaluated embryotoxicity and genotoxicity of two dissolved metals copper and cadmium (Cu and Cd) and two pesticides (metolachlor and irgarol) occurring in Arcachon Bay (SW France) in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae and investigated the relationship between those two endpoints. Embryotoxicity was measured by calculating the percentage of abnormal D-shaped larvae and genotoxicity was evaluated with DNA strand breaks using the comet assay. After 24h exposure, significant increases of the percentage of abnormal D-larvae and the DNA strand breaks were observed from 0.1μgL⁻¹ for Cu, 10μgL⁻¹ for Cd and 0.01μgL⁻¹ for both irgarol and metolachlor in comparison with the controls. A strong positive relationship between embryotoxicity and genotoxicity was recorded for Cu, Cd and metolachlor. The current study suggests that copper, irgarol and metolachlor can induce larval abnormalities and DNA damage in a population of exposed oysters at environmentally relevant concentrations.

The aim of this research was to explore the possibility of a successful and balanced integration of fish farming installations into an ecosystem dominated by Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile species. We selected light, temperature, seabed topography, sediment characteristics, meadow density, bottom coverage, maximum leaf length and lower depth limit as principle components in assessing the influence of the fish farm. All P. oceanica descriptors showed significant correlation with light deprivation effect while sediment organic matter content revealed slightly higher values than normal, increasing with distance from the cages. The results point to a conclusion that in such lightly nutrient enriched ecosystems, the seagrass growth and distribution are principally controlled by the shadow that cages cast on the seabed below, and that when carefully planned, fish farms do not necessarily degrade the health status of the surrounding area, but in fact facilitate a transition into a secondary stable state.

The published literature on marine pollution monitoring research in South Africa from 1960 to present was evaluated. There has been a general decline in the number of papers from the 1980s and this can be linked to the absence of a marine pollution monitoring programme in South Africa. General trends observed were that contaminant exposure monitoring of metals predominates the research conducted to date. Monitoring results indicate that there has been a general decrease in metal concentrations in South African coastal waters and concentrations of metals and most organics in mussels are lower than in other industrialised nations. This is reflected in the general pristine nature and high biodiversity of the South African coastline. The establishment of a national marine pollution monitoring framework would stimulate marine pollution research.

Plasma PFCs were measured in 157 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) sampled from two US southeast Atlantic sites (Charleston (CHS), SC and Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL) during 2003–2005. ∑PFCs, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (∑PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (∑PFSAs) and individual compounds were significantly higher in CHS dolphins for all age/sex categories compared to IRL dolphins. Highest ∑PFCs concentrations occurred in CHS juvenile dolphins (2340ng/g w.w.); significantly higher than found in adults (1570ng/g w.w. males; 1330ng/g w.w. females). ∑PFCAs were much greater in CHS dolphins (∼21%) compared to IRL dolphins (∼7%); ∑PFSAs were 79% in CHS dolphins versus 93% in IRL dolphins. PFOS, the dominant compound, averaged 72% and 84%, respectively, in CHS and IRL dolphins. Decreasing PFC levels occurred with age on the bioaccumulation of PFCs in both sites. These observations suggest PFC accumulation in these two dolphin populations are influenced by site-specific exposures with significantly higher levels in CHS dolphins.

Cultured and native brown mussels (Perna perna Linnaeus 1758) were used to evaluate the contamination by PAHs in the SE Brazilian coastal zone. Mean concentrations of total PAH (38 parental and alkylated compounds) and cluster analysis revealed that: (i) mussel farms (32.7–70.1ngg⁻¹) are located in uncontaminated areas; (ii) coastal rockyshore areas (89.7±25.8ngg⁻¹) have low level of contamination; and (iii) the Guanabara Bay (760.9±456.3ngg⁻¹) is chronically contaminated by hydrocarbons, which is consistent with previous results. PAH profiles and diagnostic ratios suggested mixed petrogenic and pyrolitic sources for group (ii) and petrogenic sources for group (iii). The levels of PAH in the cultured and native mussels are below threshold values for safe food, even in Guanabara Bay, and thus in such cases other contaminants and pathogens should be considered in order to evaluate the quality of shellfish for human consumption.